HISTORY of the RIDE to CONFERENCE
A short history of the D9820 Ride to Conference.
After too much red wine the challenge was a “District Bike Ride” to the next D9820 Conference 2002. Roy Knudson grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he had participated in a Round Australia ride for ARHF- also it was an ideal fundraiser for Life Education where he was a presenter.
Roy made it his business to visit Rotary Clubs throughout the District and get to know usefull people. He soon had a committee to organise a ride he had a chairman- Martin Pater, Secretary Trevor Bew, me as treasurer, experienced rider Hans van Dyke as mentor, policeman Peter Jubb- and a variety of others to call on. A done deal!
A lot of planning went into the first ride which was from Portsea to Bairnsdale (sounded simple). Roy arranged sponsorship with MacDonald’s in exchange for doing a presentation at each store as we passed – all 35 of them! Physical exercise and MacDonald’s are not really compatible!
We set off early on the Sunday morning with no maps but Roy had a spread sheet of instructions- turn by turn. All worked well until we left a park in Mornington and the riders disappeared in 3 directions. But by good luck we got to Pakenham the first night.
After too much red wine the challenge was a “District Bike Ride” to the next D9820 Conference 2002. Roy Knudson grabbed the opportunity with both hands as he had participated in a Round Australia ride for ARHF- also it was an ideal fundraiser for Life Education where he was a presenter.
Roy made it his business to visit Rotary Clubs throughout the District and get to know usefull people. He soon had a committee to organise a ride he had a chairman- Martin Pater, Secretary Trevor Bew, me as treasurer, experienced rider Hans van Dyke as mentor, policeman Peter Jubb- and a variety of others to call on. A done deal!
A lot of planning went into the first ride which was from Portsea to Bairnsdale (sounded simple). Roy arranged sponsorship with MacDonald’s in exchange for doing a presentation at each store as we passed – all 35 of them! Physical exercise and MacDonald’s are not really compatible!
We set off early on the Sunday morning with no maps but Roy had a spread sheet of instructions- turn by turn. All worked well until we left a park in Mornington and the riders disappeared in 3 directions. But by good luck we got to Pakenham the first night.
In the early years “home hosting” was arranged by local rotary clubs and worked well except the committee had no idea where our people were housed- particularly the youth exchange kids- and whether they were with “appropriate” people! Somehow they all managed to return the next day – often very late. Rotary Clubs and Rotarians were very good to the youth exchange providing bikes and gear- mostly very unsuitable. At the first ride all riders got a Lycia ride shirt and also a polo shirt- all looked part of the “rotary team”.
For the second ride there was very little planning as the same formula that worked the previous year was to be used- not a good plan as it nearly fell in a big heap.
In the first years there were a lot of exchange students, many had never ridden on the left hand side of the road or up a hill. Many riders have come and gone over the years- some returning for a second or third attempt. One year we had 5 Club Presidents, 1 Assistant Governor and 1 Past District Governor all participate.
The one constant for the Ride is riding up hills- no complaints will be noted. Hobart was a standout for hills but did have spectacular views.
The notable changes have been in the catering and accommodation. We started with home hosting, MacDonald’s and various Milk Bars along the way- not many opportunities at places like Grantville and Nowa Nowa 20 years ago.
Many many wonderful people have joined together in true rotary fashion to make the Ride to Conference a success for 20 years. Whenever a challenge has been thrown at us the rotary wheel has turned and someone has simply said “I can help”.
Terry Williams.
For the second ride there was very little planning as the same formula that worked the previous year was to be used- not a good plan as it nearly fell in a big heap.
In the first years there were a lot of exchange students, many had never ridden on the left hand side of the road or up a hill. Many riders have come and gone over the years- some returning for a second or third attempt. One year we had 5 Club Presidents, 1 Assistant Governor and 1 Past District Governor all participate.
The one constant for the Ride is riding up hills- no complaints will be noted. Hobart was a standout for hills but did have spectacular views.
The notable changes have been in the catering and accommodation. We started with home hosting, MacDonald’s and various Milk Bars along the way- not many opportunities at places like Grantville and Nowa Nowa 20 years ago.
Many many wonderful people have joined together in true rotary fashion to make the Ride to Conference a success for 20 years. Whenever a challenge has been thrown at us the rotary wheel has turned and someone has simply said “I can help”.
Terry Williams.