Well what a way to start the 2017 calendar; 100 riders, 4 pelotons, country NSW and over $600,000 in the bank for a great cause. The Royal Far West Ride for Country Kids started in 2014 and gets more and more successful with each and every year.
The 2017 ride saw 100 riders across 4 pelotons cycle 405 K from Wagga Wagga to Orange through Cootamundra and Cowra. The route was challenging yet scenic and the weather gods were harsh yet kind.
Royal Far West Ride for Country Kids on route to Orange.
To fundraise $600,000 + is no easy task and the vast bulk of these funds come from rider donations and sponsorship.
It's Pretty Special
The Ride for Country Kids, now in its 4th year, has cemented a great ethos of mate ship; riders come from all over the country with several coming from outback NSW. FDC has been the major driver and sponsor behind the ride since its inception and can be very very proud of its contribution both behind the scenes and during the 3 day challenge.
The ride attracts all skill levels with pelotons setting an average speed of 30 + down to 15 + K an hour and for me the 2017 ride had many standout moments:
- seeing pelotons stand on the side of the road whilst getting smashed with heavy rain and 40 K winds clapping other pelotons on as they went past. This is a behaviour, as an event organiser, we often need to drive however that wasn't the case with this event which is pretty dam special
- seeing people with minimal experience being heavily supported by those around them to achieve their goals for country NSW and watching them ride to break point and never giving up
- being welcomed by school kids who lined the streets like rock stars and being welcomed by country towns and communities thankful for the money the event was raising and the difference the work of the Royal far West had made on kids and families in their towns
Take a peak of a few snaps I took during the ride.
The Royal Far West have been a pillar of strength in country NSW and have recently expanded into Southern Queensland. Watch this space for 2018; its going to be huge.
The entoure support team
The Fixed Wheel provided mechanical and ride captain support for this event and as always did a truly fantastic job and we very much thank Dan Bricknell, Danny Wright, Aaron Dunford and Jason Pitkeathly. We also thank our logistical team of Mark Williams, James Howard, David Sharpe, Rob Bates, Nelson Santos, Lloyd Williams, Danae Mansour and Paul Russell (AKA the Doc) and special thanks to our volunteer helpers of Michael Hawk, Cheryl Paterson and Will Hall and the king of removals who took care of bike transport Kevin Dunn of Whirlwind Removals. A truly great way to kick start our 2017 event calendar. THANKS TEAM now bring on Tour de Kids.