Woody's Murray to Moyne cycle relay.
There is a bike charity bike that has been attended to by friends in my
cycling club. Known as the Bayside Bandidos (nothing to do with that notorious
motor equivalent, we're just a bunch of mid-life crisis bikies with legs for
motors wearing lycra). This event was often talked about and caused a frenzy
of excitement in the early part of each year - I had to go.
Woody's Murray to Moyne it
has a nice friendly sound. I am very - and another very - glad to have made
that decision and to be part of raising money for a charity and knowing where
that money went to. That's the beauty of this event, we choose the charity: in
this case it was the Yarrabah school; a special school for disabled children.
We met with the principal and the students, and they got behind us with staff
acting as drivers, donating the use of the school bus and helping out where
they could. So humbling to be with the kids and teachers, they are special.
I do not normally get involved in charity due to the pressures of running a
small business and being part of a young family. I am not the kind of sociable
event driven person that charity raising requires, nor do I have exposure to
big groups of people. Normally I'll just plonk the requisite cash to enter or
sponsor or just not attend. Anyway, this time I made the effort in whatever
way possible as I was motivated by the cause, the parents and teachers and my
club mates. It was a lot of fun.
Various members and partners as well as the school did a superb effort in
organisation for the group. We had a trailer to carry the bikes and logistics
all well sorted out, so when it came to doing the event it was run like a well
oiled machine.
The event itself is and overnight relay ride of over 500km from Echuca to Port
Fairy, with a sleepover at Hamilton. Other choices of start are at Swan Hill
and Mildura. (map from M-to-M
website)
It's not supposed to be a race, but heh , we're a bunch of middle-aged ego
driven cyclists ! We had two teams running this year, the other raising money
for another school in Bayside, they had a head start and so there was some
catching up to do. It sure makes the ride to Hamilton (our first stop) a quick
and interesting one. We worked out an efficient change-over cycle and nearly
caught them. The staggered start time of teams was an excellent decision by
the M-to-M organisers because it avoids the problems associated with large
bunches of amateur riders.
An overnight stay in Hamilton arriving in the late hours we were were tired
and soon were off to sleep.
All too soon it was time to arise, but we were energised ! With a strong tail
wind into Port Fairy we reached speeds over 60 km/h and arrived in record
time. It was nice to kick back and relax by the water before the long journey
home.
After we finished the event we were given a thank you ceremony and a present
by the kids. I have this framed artwork sitting on my office wall to remind me
of this special time.
Thanks for the good times, this and other events makes a club vibrant and
interesting. Glad to be a member.
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