The
Coast to Coast Bike Ride
covers a diverse range
of climates and terrain. Read on to find out all about these great events!
1.
A bit of history about the ride.
2. What am I doing here?
3. So how does it work?
4. Who is Milboe?
5.
Entry
and registration information
6. We will provide
7. What you need to provide
8. Where's Wally Award
9. Fund raising & administration matters
10. Certificates of Participation and Support
1.
A bit of history...
The Coast to Coast Bike Ride began through the Cairns School of Distance Education P&C Association in 1996/97 to initially address the need for a multi purpose activity centre for the school site in Cairns. Early in the life of the event the decision was made to spread the benefits of funds raised to include many communities and organizations across the North Queensland region.
The main criteria involved the benefits being focused on supporting and benefiting children who live in the remote rural areas of the region. Today beneficiaries include: Cairns School of Distance Education, primary schools including Mt Garnet, Mt Surprise, Georgetown, Croydon, Normanton and Karumba, child care centres, sports associations and more. There is a rotating special beneficiary each year chosen from: Royal Flying Doctor Service, Burns Unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Children’s Services at the Cairns Base Hospital.
The inclusion of special beneficiaries was in response to the overwhelming and continued support provided through several major organizations including the Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire & Rescue Service, State Emergency Service, Australian Quarantine Services, Australian Customs, Australian Defence Forces and many more.
To date the event has raised and distributed over well in excess of $600,000 – there are many unique aspects to the event including being predominantly volunteer based in organization and management. Only the catering coordinator is a contracted role due to its complexity and need to meet food safety standards. The ride took a ‘pause’ in 2007 to review and reflect on its future – the interest and support demonstrated confirmed the events ongoing future and so now prepares for the 12th annual ride in 2009.
The multi purpose centre at the School of Distance Education in Cairns has been built from funds raised from the event. The centre now provides a range of classroom facilities not previously available on site, as well as much needed accommodation support. Catering for art, science, drama, home economics and technology the activity centre is well utilised. Students and families accessing the school in Cairns often travel from long distances from remote areas and the kitchen, bathroom and accommodation area of the multi purpose building have been a major benefit to the school community.
Students and families of the school live and work on cattle stations, fishing boats, mining sites or maybe traveling (circus and show families), medical enrolments and home schooling across the Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria and broader Far North Queensland area. Once the activity centre was completed the funds from the ride have supported the introduction of telephone bridging into the school – this has seen the phasing out of HF radios and a much improved and very reliable communication system for students to undertake lessons over the phone. This includes core school subjects, languages, special activities such as the school Eisteddfod, Scouts as well as instrumental music – quite an achievement.
Other schools and organizations have used the funds for sporting equipment, shade on play areas, technology, computer and software packages, educational trips, swimming pool equipment, medical equipment, buildings and more.
2.
What am I doing here?
To
date the ride has been enjoyed and completed by a diverse range of people
from both local and regional North Queensland, across Queensland and interstate
as well as international participants from Ireland, U.S., New Zealand,
Holland, England and Germany. Many come back each year, some being fit
athletes and others who are there to enjoy and savour the experience.
We cater for all levels of fitness and this is shown in the structure of our riding packs. For example: Pack 1 - Ace Riders/Jet Pack down to Pack 6 - The Social Pack. The overriding factor is the spirit with which everyone takes part - coming together to form a cohesive, supportive and encouraging group, consequently a strong sense of camaraderie forms over the week. We look forward to building on these experiences and look forward to watching the sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria with you in July 2009.
"Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." (Margaret Mead)
3.
So How Does It Work?
Riders are formed into several packs depending on their ability and generally their level of fitness. Riders can swap around packs during the event – some may like more pace in the mornings and then move down to a slower pack in the afternoons for example. If you have never had any experience with pack riding then have no fear – most of our participants have never ridden in packs either – we provide training, support and have lots of experience after 11 years running the ride so plenty of help on hand. This style of cycling provides for all levels of fitness – from the competitive club rider down to the social set, ages from 15yrs to 85yrs+ have all taken part in previous rides.
One of the most often heard comments during the event “I’ve met so many amazing people and have completely switched off from all my stresses and the outside world. Pack riding builds a real team spirit – and friendships for life!Approximately every 20km there is a drinks stop – we provide water, electrolyte drinks, dried fruit and an abundant supply of bananas and oranges at these stops. These stops are manned by crew volunteers, just as the whole ride is managed and manned by volunteers. Drink stops are places for running repairs or running to the call of nature – given we are heading across the Savannah Way – there is plenty to see along the way.
Dehydration is a major concern as we head further away from the east coast and across the warmer Savannah region – you should be drinking water/electrolyte drinks as soon as you wake up. REMEMBER: If you wait until you feel thirsty to drink – then you are already dehydrating!
Meals are provided by our volunteer “Road Kill Catering Crew” – don’t let the name scare you – most people put on weight during the trip because the meals are so good!
4. Who's Milboe Ltd?
Milboe Ltd is the not for profit entity which was established for the sole purpose of co-ordinating, managing and taking responsibility for the Coast to Coast Bike Ride. An important point to note is there are no paid positions on the board - and with over 50+ volunteers there is only 1 contracted position which is the Catering Coordinator – an achievement all associated with the event are proud of.
The Milboe Ltd board consists of the following people:
- Wally Donaldson – Chair - (Wally is the Regional Manager of the Telstra Country Wide)
- Karen Pedersen – Treasurer - (Karen is a home tutor with Cairns School of Distance Education and lives on Karma Waters Station in Cape York)
- Richard Huelin – Director - (Richard is the Principal – Cairns School of Distance Education)
- Mike O’Loughlin - Director - (Locco is with 4CAFM and a keen participant and supporter of the ride for several years)
- Mark Allen – Director - (Deputy Principal at the Northern Beaches and a long time volunteer, participant and supporter of the ride)
5.
Entry and Registration Information
Either contact us by email/phone and we can fax/mail the registration forms to you – or you can download them and print them from this site.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
- Every rider must complete a rider registration form and a medical form
- Every support crew must complete a support crew registration form and a medical form
- Riders must be over 15yrs of age – for those who are 15-18yrs of age – a responsible adult – traveling with them on the event – must sign the form and accept responsibility for them during the 7 days of the event.
- Volunteers – anyone wishing to volunteer should first contact either Dale Brouwer or Karen Pedersen. Details on contactcs page.
- Volunteers listed on the official Volunteer Crew list – must complete a volunteer registration form and a medical form.
- Rider with support - $650 per person
- Rider without support - $700 per person
- Support crew 15 yrs and over - $400 per person
- Children 12-15yrs - $300 per person
- Children 8-11yrs - $200 per person
- Children under 8yrs - no charge
- **Team riders (at least 4 people in team) with support - $600 per rider in the team
- **Team riders (at least 4 people in team) without support - $650 per rider in the team
- Specify the names of each rider in their team on their registration forms when lodging;
- Provide the ‘Team Name’ on each registration form;
- Undertake to have a Team Theme which may include such options as team outfits, participation as a team in No Talent Quest etc;
- Where the team has their own support crew – the support crew to ‘support’ and assist all team members.
No children’s size shirts will be available as ordering has proven to be far too unpredictable and difficult.
Excess polo shirts will be sold during the event for $50.Following registration and payment in full of the required fee/s an official RIDE BOOKLET will be provided which outlines detailed information to assist you in preparing for the event. The booklet includes daily running sheets, route descriptions, approximate meal times, times for departure each morning, night time entertainment, themes for the day, tourism attractions, town maps, town services and include some diary pages and spaces for photographs.You are responsible for ensuring your own medical details are up to date and current and you are fully fit and able to participate in the ride.
Please provide plenty of advance notice of any special dietary requirements such as allergies, vegetarian, prescribed diet etc. Participants are required to purchase their own meal on Saturday night 5th July. This ensures that our hardworking volunteers in the kitchen also get to enjoy the sunset and end of ride celebrations.
• Escort vehicles in front and behind each pack of riders, with radio communications.
• Daily briefing on conditions, daily schedule and addressing issues as they arise eg: safety concerns, pack formation, lunch stop distances.
• AS MUCH SUPPORT, ASSISTANCE and INFORMATION AS YOU NEED - JUST CALL!
8.
Where's Wally Award
This is a daily 'tongue in cheek' award given to someone nominated by
other participants who does, says or acts in any way unusually, humourously
or ridiculously. This is sponsored by Telstra Countrywide and awards are
handed out daily during the lunch stop.
9.
Fund Raising & Administration Matters
Your registration and fund raising fees for the ride can be
raised in a variety of ways. The registration deposit fee is used to
cover costs not met through corporate sponsorships and donations such
as food, fuel, hire of equipment, administration. It is worth noting
that in past years we have averaged our expenses for organising and
staging the event at approximately 10% of the gross amount raised."This
means that approximately 90% of the funds raised in total (including
the participation fee) can be distributed to the beneficiaries."
“For anyone wishing to undertake fund raising activities including gaining individual or team sponsorships – we will provide an official letter confirming your registration and participation in the event – however all funds raised are for the Coast to Coast Bike Ride and must be deposited promptly. We will provide official receipts either directly to the contributor or to you to pass back – but only once we have confirmed the actual deposit has been made. To arrange this please contact us.
ANYONE FUND RAISING ON BEHALF OF THE RIDE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE AN OFFICIAL LETTER OF CONFIRMATION – MILBOE LTD ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDS PROVIDED WITHOUT SUCH IDENTIFICATION.
Sponsorship, donations and other fund raising activities can also be used to raise your funds - be imaginative. We are willing to make arrangements for people who can show special circumstances such as sponsorship dependent on completion of the ride. Just talk to us.