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 was run for the first time in 1997 and was initiated
to raise funds for the Cairns School of Distance Education P&C . Funds
were to construct a much needed Multi Purpose Activity Centre catering
for Art, Science, Drama, Home Economics, Technology and providing a small
accommodation area with bathroom facilities.
Students and families who live and work
on cattle stations, fishing boats, mining sites or are travelling (circus
and show families), medical enrolments and home schooling across Far North
Queensland undertaking their education through correspondence and HF Radio
will have access to this facility. This building is now complete, thanks
to the success of the bike ride and the many dedicated people supporting
and participating in it.
The Cairns School of Distance Education P&C is one of the beneficiaries
with rural remote schools being included since 1999. Mt Garnet, Mt Surprise,
Forsayth, Georgetown, Croydon, Normanton and Karumba Primary School have
all received funds to directly support and assist the children they have
enrolled.
The inclusion of special beneficiaries each year has been initiated in
response to the overwhelming support provided through several major organisations
including the Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance, Queensland Fire
& Rescue Service, State Emergency Service, Australian Quarantine Services,
Australian Customs, Australian Navy and many more. The special beneficiary
for 2005 is Royal Flying Doctor Service.
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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 2008.
"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
will be formed into several groups or "packs" depending on ability/fitness
criteria and all riders are required to ride within a group - it is totally
unacceptable for riders to 'do their own thing' and ride alone - as you
will appreciate the riders' safety is our number one concern and this
is a non negotiable criteria.
Teams or individuals can relay, providing this is properly and safely managed and there is no risk to rider, support crew or road traffic. Some points on riding etiquette are included in the full information pack which will be mailed to you upon receipt of your inquiry.
Approximately every 20kms of each day there will be a designated drink stop for water, electrolyte mix, fruit and dried fruit. These designated stops are established by either the nominated drinks vehicle or the police escort.
Generally support vehicles will pull up at these stops to check on their riders, change relay riders or make quick repairs. Relay riders wishing to change at shorter intervals can do so upon notification of the ride coordinator.Relay changes not made at drink stops MUST BE UNDERTAKEN on straight stretches of road with plenty of room for vehicles to get off the road and to see traffic approaching from either direction (a hair pin bend in the middle of the rainforest is definitely NOT a safe place for a relay change!)
Take advantage of topping up water bottles and having something to nibble on at these stops. Dehydration and fatigue can be a huge problem in this region if you don't drink lots of fluid and eat appropriate snack foods regularly. Neglecting these issues can result in accidents that involve others riding in the pack, and considerable discomfort for the individual.
REMEMBER: IF YOU WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE THIRSTY TO DRINK THEN YOU ARE ALREADY DEHYDRATED!
4.
Who's Milboe?
Milboe Ltd is a non-profit organisation established for the sole purpose
of co-ordinating and managing the Coast to Coast and Gidgee
to Gulf Bike Rides.
An important point to note is that there are no paid positions at all, either with Milboe or any other part of the event, and the ride organisation and coordination is undertaken on a 100% voluntary basis.
5.
Entry and Registration Information
It is absolutely necessary for all riders, support crew, officials and volunteers to complete registration forms and medical forms prior to the ride commencing, for catering purposes. If you aren't registered, you may miss vital information sent to registered participants. Volunteers will also be required to complete a volunteer register.
A RIDE BOOKLET will be published one the website prior to commencement of the event. This will include daily running sheets providing meal times, times for packs to depart in the morning, night time entertainment, information on riding etiquette, and route information.
Everyone must supply a medical form before the ride.
Individuals are responsible for ensuring they are medically fit to take
part in the ride. Registration forms are to be sent immediately so as
to ensure your name/s are listed for future information mail outs and
in counting total participants. This ensures that everyone is accounted
for and meets our requirements for insurance and safety issues.
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•
All meals are fully catered for. You can be assured of ample and varied
meals thanks to the efforts of our volunteer catering crew.
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
The
registration and fund raising fees for the Coast to Coast 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."
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.