Darwin to Broome ride to help Flying Doctors
BY ANIKA HUME

Local cyclists will ride from Darwin to Broome in July to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).
Four Mudgee cyclists and four Lightning Ridge riders called The Flying Pedals will leave Darwin on July 15 with the western winter wind at their backs .

Averaging about 80-100kms each day, The Flying Pedals aim to finish the ride of almost 19,000 kilometres in just over four weeks, arriving in Broome on August 13.

“The idea began as a mention from another regular rider and we thought it was a good idea so we decided to pick up the ball and run with it,” Flying Pedals member Ross Kurtz said.

The ride will take three months in total, including two weeks of driving and camping to get to their Northern Territory starting point and more than five weeks riding and recovery time before beginning the long drive home.

“The ride won’t be easy and the whole event is a big commitment time-wise, but cycling is a great sport to be involved in no matter what your age and it will be a good show of support for the RFDS,” Mr Kurtz said.

Sixty-eight-year-old John Snape, who every day rides almost as many kilometres as he has years, said he was happy to be involved in such a fantastic cause.

“In that part of the country the Royal Flying Doctors are very important – you just mention their name and that you’re helping them and you’ll get support straight away because they mean so much to the people over there,” he said.

With just under four months to go before the ride, both men said the level of support was great.

“We’re really surprised at the support we’ve been getting here already when the event is still a while off,” Mr Kurtz said.

“There’s been a lot of people happy to write out a cheque then and there when we tell them what we’re doing, so the generosity of the community has been amazing already, particularly from the small business owners.”

The Flying Pedals plan a number of fundraisers including raffles, charity bike rides, auctions and garden and dinner parties.

Fundraising will continue on the trip, including more raffles and sales of paintings.

The Flying Pedals are selling advertising space on their riding shorts and shirts and will gladly accept donations of goods for auction.

“We’ve hardly scratched the surface yet,” he said.

The first Flying Pedals fundraiser for the RFDS is a dinner and auction with Bruce McGregor on April 1, followed by a charity bike ride from Gulgong to Old Cooyal Hotel and return on April 10.

Mudgee Guardian, Wednesday, March 16, 2011