This year, we saw a record number of riders (168) tackle the challenge of riding from Sydney to Surfers Paradise on pedal power alone, supported by 28 dedicated volunteers from the Rotary Club of Engadine.
We had our fit groups who did it easy. We had our ‘middle of the road’ riders who found a few days challenging. And we had Pack 9. Most riders rode hard and long. They started first…finished last…and put in some of the most courageous riding one could see.
Of course, the ride was always more about peddling north. There were new friendships formed, and new hardships encountered (a couple of riders sustained injuries through crashing…one rider didn’t even make the ride due to a crash in the months leading up to the day).
There was plenty of perspiration, precipitation…and inspiration. And at the end of the week…jubilation.
We stopped in no less than 23 towns, covering approximately 900kms.
We ate somewhere near 5 tonnes of food…maybe more.
We talked and laughed for more than 1,000 hours.
We shared 1,224 photos and 1 video through Facebook. And tagged ourselves countless times.
Speaking of Facebook…this year was the first event to include Social Media. The wall content was shared 14,090 times through 12 different Countries by more than 350 different people!
We also learnt about one rider’s ‘Hero Page’ that raised several thousands for the ride’s charity organisation…Youth Off The Streets.
And who could forget those great YOTS kids Andrew, Courtney, Latu and the invincible Jannali who was the first YOTS rider to cover the full ride distance!
But perhaps the ride could be best summed up by the sentiments of a few riders who expressed their feelings on Facebook.
Theres really nothing more to say. Life changing is a common theme. Not only for the riders, but also for the four YOTS kids who will take home some valuable life lessons. And also for the hundreds of disadvantaged kids who will benefit from the funds raised to keep Father Chris Riley and Youth Off The Streets operating for another year.
To all of you…THANKS! See you again next year.
To look back on the action, check out Engadine Rotary’s Facebook Page, or to see the full set of photo’s from the entire week of riding, head on over to Flickr.
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Until next year…
About the Author: Brendon Walker from Centric Social Media is on loan to the Sydney to Surfers Bike Ride for the week to shoot pics and blog. He also doubles as one of the event bus drivers. His week long goal is to stay dry inside the bus, brag about that to the riders, and capture a spectacular crash in high resolution pixels. He enjoys long walks along the beach, but only if he gets to take his iPhone and tweet about it.
