Lynne Mowbray |

After surviving a horrific accident back in February this year, former Maclean High School teacher Brian Elvery was back on his bike taking part in Sunday’s Yamba Triathlon.

Brian was cheered on by the crowd, wishing him well as he set off on the 20 km bike leg.

Brian’s wife Kim, who won the 60-64 Women’s category in Sunday’s triathlon, said that the support from the crowd on the first corner cheering everyone on and calling out Brian’s name to wish him well as he rode past, was particularly special.

“The support from the town and the community has been great,” Kim said.

“When I’m down the street, people are always asking how Brian is,” she said.

An emotional Brian told the Independent that he was really happy to be able to be back, doing what he loves.

“The crowd support was unreal, it was just fantastic,” Brian said.

“I was involved in a pretty hectic crash in the middle of February and was pretty laid up for the best part of four months and then I’ve been gradually been getting a bit more activity.

“I sat on the trainer for a fair few weeks and then when I got my neck brace off and given the okay about that, they told me I could go on the road; so I’ve just been gradually doing a little bit more.

“I’ve been back on the bike for a couple of months doing a fair bit of training.

“I’ve been doing a little bit of swimming, but I don’t walk so well; I’ve still got a bit of work to do on my ankle and hopefully it will make it better.

“The rest of my body is pretty good – my ankle is probably the thing that is hurting me the most at the moment.

“If I couldn’t get back on my bike – I would have gone nuts if I couldn’t do something like this.

“I am absolutely amazed by the response from a lot of people and that has helped.

“People have come out of the woodwork, coming to visit me, calling me up and asking, how you are doing; it’s been fantastic,” he said.