September 30, 2019
The South Burnett’s most unusual cycling group is busy preparing for their third outing, and it looks like being its most successful to date.
Ride For Relay organisers expect a group of 20 riders will cycle from Wondai to Camp Duckadang, near Linville, and back again over five days in probably Relay For Life’s most unusual fundraising team.
The Ride was begun in 2017 by South Burnett Mountain Bike Club secretary Jason Wyeth as a way to draw attention to Relay For Life, the popular annual event which raises money for cancer research.
Over the five days before each Relay, Jason and fellow cyclists travel from Wondai to Linville and back again to raise awareness about the event, finishing at Kingaroy Showgrounds around the time the Relay begins.
During its first two years, the Ride for Relay team raised a total of $23,000 for Relay For Life.
But this year the group has set a fundraising target of $15,000, and looks like hitting it.
“In our first two years riders have had some interesting conditions to deal with,” Jason said.
“Probably the most memorable was the massive storm that hit Coolabunia on the third day of last year’s ride.
“This year – while we are all hoping for rain – it would be nice to do it without the storms.”
This year’s Ride For Relay will have three support vehicles and the group will be covering about 400km on mountain bikes using local rail trails and back roads.
The Ride’s itinerary is:
- October 8: Kingaroy to Wondai staying at the Wondai Lions Pavilion
- October 9: Wondai to Kingaroy staying at the Kingaroy State School Sports Hall
- October 10: Kingaroy to Camp Duckadang at Linville
- October 11: Camp Duckadang to Nanango along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and Link route
- October 12: Nanango to Kingaroy – returning to Kingaroy on the Link
Jason said a great deal of the credit for the event’s success should go to its sponsors.
“Each year I’m blown away by the generosity of local people and businesses,” Jason said.
“This year we have Kingaroy McDonalds and Bill Hull Car Centre as our major sponsors, which is the third year these two local business have supported the ride.
“We are also supported by the Wooroolin Lions who are helping with accommodation at Camp Duckadang and Hertz Toowoomba, who have given us a great deal on a third support vehicle.
“Crowies Paints, The Comm Kingaroy, Betta Electrical Kingaroy, Harvey Norman Kingaroy, the Wondai Hotel, PSM Probike, Supercheap Auto, Nails and Beauty by Sam, the Wooroolin Hotel, Whipbird Café, YP threads, Bunnings Kingaroy, Kewpie Stockfeeds and Ryke Fuel have also donated prizes for our major raffle, which will be drawn on the last night of the ride at the Fitzroy Hotel in Nanango.
“There are also a couple of local organisations helping us out as well, including the Inverlaw Farmers Hall which will open up as a stop for riders, and the Booie Hall Committee who are supplying morning tea for us on the last day of the ride.
“And this year – like last year – we’ll also be doing live crosses to Corky at CROW-FM early each morning so we can give daily updates on our progress.”
Jason said the Ride was a fun bonding exercise for the group, even if it was a bit painful at times.
“Stories will be shared, muscles will tire and our bottoms will get pretty sore,” he said.
“But we all know why we’re riding, which is for a cancer-free future and to support families and individuals struggling with this disease. And that’s what makes it worthwhile.”
Readers who’d like to support Ride For Relay can make a donation online
This year’s Relay For Life will be held at Kingaroy Showgrounds in Youngman Street on Saturday and Sunday, October 12-13.
