May 26, 2014
The “biggest ever” Lions Kingaroy Trail Ride at the weekend attracted more than 700 riders and raised an incredible $40,000 for charity.
The camping ground at Chahpingah, west of Kingaroy, was packed with bikes, 4WDs, caravans, campers and tents for the two days.
The bikes started arriving through the gates on Friday night … and kept coming, and coming …
The crowds caught everyone by surprise, with organisers running out of numbers at one stage to accommodate all the riders.
Saturday went off without a hitch, with only a few minor injuries keeping the ambulance personnel on hand occupied. However, on Sunday, one rider had to be transported to Kingaroy Hospital after he was knocked unconscious in a fall.
Lions members were run off their feet serving up hamburgers to all the visitors.
“But we catered for everyone,” Kingaroy Lions Club president Graham Wilson said.
“It was huge. We ended up with over 700 riders, more than double last year.
“Everyone had a great time.”
The riders were divided into four categories based on age and experience: Pee Wee, Junior, Novice and Open.
All motorbikes – registered and non-registered – were welcome (except quads).
The rides – which are non-competitive – passed through two local properties, belonging to the Wilsons and the Greenups.
The longest route was the Open track which traversed about 55km, covering different tracks on Saturday and Sunday.
A new feature this year which proved very popular was the mini Enduro Cross track which operated under lights on Saturday night near the camping area.
Graham said the profits from the event should be about $40,000 which would go towards various Lions-sponsored charities.
“We are very grateful to all the people who volunteered their time to get it organised,” he said.
“Especially the blokes who marked out the tracks over the months.”
The Kingaroy and Nanango SES units had a dozen volunteers on site, manning checkpoints scattered across the trails and providing support to the Queensland Ambulance Service.
[UPDATED May 27]
- External link: Photos from the 2014 Trail Ride by Lions Club member and South Burnett photographer Howard Jack
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