Bike for Bibles Canada Style
A 5 minute trailer from the British Columbia District of Bike for Bibles in Canada. (Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxrGT0-EULw)
There is a great gallery of shots on flickr from a ride organised by Vancouver BFB.
Also check out the Bike for Bibles Canada web site.
Perth to Albany Day 6, Cranbrook to Albany
The cool and blustery weather has really caught up with us. It was jackets all round this morning to stop the freezing wind. I really would like to start a blog posting that doesn’t mention the weather, honest. The farm we stayed at got 1/2 an inch of rain during the night, but it had cleared by the time we were ready to go.
Today we had to venture out on to Albany Highway for the first time. The traffic was pretty good, but still more than we had seen all week. A couple of passing semis reminded me of the trip over the Nullarbor where a truck coming the other way during a cross wind could easily knock you off your bike. As long as you hunker down and hold on tight to your handlebars you’ll be fine.
Today’s route started at Cranbrook, detoured via Tenterden and Kendenup, and then down to Mount Barker. After a bit more of Albany Highway we detoured off via Lower King to our final stop at Oyster Harbour which is east of Albany.
We managed to get 102km into our legs today to make a grand total of 580km for the week. The last 20km was ridden with mixed feelings; a fantastic week’s worth of riding was almost no more, but it also meant we could wear normal clothes again and get back to our families.
Mark, our host for the night and for breakfast, standing in his trial field of Barley
Cranbrook’s Claim to Fame.
The hall at Tenterden that was burnt down a couple of years ago, had its official opening on Saturday.
The four final victors finally arrive at Alec’s House (pardon the pun) in Albany. L-R: Geff, Wes, David and Alec. Thanks to Jeannie for arranging our medals, a really nice touch to get a little reward.
Alec’s home church – Church of the Living Water in Oyster Harbour, organised a dinner to welcome us; again proving the hospitality of country folk is awesome.
As best we can tell at the moment, the ride has raised $3500 towards the Bible Society’s project in Cambodia. If you would like to add to this total and support the ride, please email me, David Pascoe at pascoedj@gmail.com
Perth to Albany Day 5, Katanning to Cranbrook
The thunderstorms overnight were a warning that we were in for a wet morning. So it was a damp start to the day as we rolled down the hill out of Katanning. The rain continued for a few minutes, but not enough to really wet us through.
We continued our regime of sealed back roads and took a route via Broomehill and Tambellup to get to Cranbrook. Another 92km on the odometer. This is getting easier by the day, my legs are feeling stronger and stronger. Alec says that his legs aren’t improving any; and that at 72 he has probably already peaked his level of fitness.
Our first stop was Broomehill where we had time to have a proper flat white at Henry Jones Winery and Cafe. What luxury !
Lunch was at Tambellup where we could jump on the internet at the Telecentre. The Telecentre is quite an impressive setup for a small place like Tambellup – and in fact it felt faster than my link at home in the suburbs.
Leaving Tambellup we saw some more rain and the wind was picking up. Again we were lucky enough to not get to that squishy wet sock feeling. So for me that doesn’t count as `getting wet’ on the bike. Even though we rode through a lot of rain we managed to stay dry over all.
For most of today we had the wind well and truly behind us. What a buzz to be able to sit on 45km/h for long sections. One thing for sure, we would find riding in the other direction a heap more effort. Going by our hosts’ description of how much rain fell in Cranbrook we were lucky to not have been washed away.
We arrived in Cranbrook expecting that we would be doshing down on the Baptist Church hall floor and cooking for ourselves. By the time we got there we discovered that we were being met for coffee and a shower at the Pastor’s house in Cranbrook and then for dinner and to sleep out near Tenterden. So we are all feeling so blessed and encouraged to be fed and housed when we were expecting to fend for ourselves.
Henry Jones Winery & Cafe in Broomehill
Old Rusted Water Tower at Tambellup
Hard to fathom: flood marker in Tambellup
Unexpected dinner with the Jefferies near Tenterden.
Perth to Albany Day 4, Wagin to Katanning
Today’s route took in a detour to Dumbleyung and a back road to Katanning. The road to Dumbleyung took us past Lake Dumbleyung where Donald Campbell set the world water record in 1956. The road in to the lookout was gravel so we wimped out again and went straight to the town.
The days are becoming less about suffering and more about really enjoying the cycling. The cooler temperature makes all the difference. I know, I know, cyclists are always going on about the weather; sorry about that. I promise not to also prattle on about the hills in this post.
We notched up another fun and pretty 91km today. The total so far for this ride is around 380km.
As I sit here typing away, Geff is showing us his cooking prowess, and it is smelling fantastic.
The dunny at Dumbleyung, I recommend it if you are ever passing through and need to pass something-through as it were.
Some fields of wheat in this area go on as far as you can see.
Kobeelya Convention Centre, at the top of the hill in Katanning. Tonight we kip down in the bungalow out the back.
Returning to the scene of the crime; Alec was married (along with Daphne) in this cute little chapel (St. Michael and All Angels) at Kobeelya in 1966.
Perth to Albany Day 3, Narrogin to Wagin
Officially only 55km on the map we managed to stretch it to around 75km for the day. After 2 days of heat and hills it was actually nice to have a more sedate day. We left Narrogin via the Agricultural College and headed towards Wagin on Tarwonga Rd and Piesseville Rd.
Narrogin Baptist our stop for Tuesday night.
Here are some action shots of our riders.
Wagin Baptist, our stop for Wednesday night.
The obligatory shot of the Giant Ram at Wagin.
David had his birthday today on the ride.
Perth to Albany Day 2, Brookton to Narrogin
Still feeling the heat today. The 96km was hilly and did I say warm ? The wind was really quite kind today and helped push us towards Narrogin. We sure would have had to work harder if that wind was in our face.
Just for some variety, we turned off at Pingelly and took the road via Pumphrey and Dryandra. We had planned to stop for lunch at Dryandra Village, but we found it was at the end of a 3.2km of gravel road. None of us fancied 6km of pea gravel on skinny tyres so we used the side of the road instead.
Geff by the sign at Pumphreys.
The back road via Pingelly was pretty, full of fields of barley, oats, wheat and canola. The farmers in the group gave us city slickers an education in how to recognise a crop – and even more how to recognise a good crop.
Having a shorter day today meant that we had some spare time after we arrived in town, so we went to the Narrogin Recreation Centre and had a swim and a quick rest. This is a bit of luxury we could all get used to, a swim after a hard day in the saddle.
For dinner Mark and Jo are looking after us, we are sitting here smelling the barbecue sizzling. It is such a buzz to have someone cook for you. Thanks heaps for feeding us hungry mob Mark & Jo.
Jo’s chocolate cake with soft prune centre was worth riding 200km for.
Tonight we are bedding down at the Narrogin Baptist Church hall. The Narrogin Baptist Church celebrated it’s Centenary in 2000. Just as anside, my maternal great-grandfather DJ Morris was a pastor here 1915-1920.
The Centenary Mural at Narrogin Baptist Church.
Perth to Albany Day 1, Armadale to Brookton
Perth turned on a stinker of a day as we prepared to leave from Armadale. It was a hot 35C in Perth and we sure felt it out on the road. The wind was strong and hot and swirling around but thankfully mostly in our favour.
So we opened our register with 113km. Personally, I had forgotten how hard it is to put in that many kilometres over a hilly course. The temperature sure makes you work hard for your distance.
Not much to remark on the road kill front except for a delicious looking long legged frog and a beautiful fluffy fox cub.
Brookton Highway was pretty quiet and the drivers were very polite so all we had to worry about was just how many more hills there were and how long before we could fill our drink bottles again.
Geff, David, Wes, David and Alec ready to leave from Armadale Kelmscott Baptist Church.
David demonstrating the luxury of his inflatable bed.
Some delightful soul dumped a load of asbestos fencing in the road side parking.
We arrived in Brookton at 4PM to discover that Carolyn had prepared a feast for us to enjoy at our leisure. We bunk down tonight at the W.B. Eva Pavillion.
Yours truly, your blogger for this ride.
Premier day for Hobart track ride
Ride report by Tim Wherrett and Mark Polonsky.
 |
TON OF ENERGY: Charlotte Hanemaayer, 10, and Kaisorn De Hoog, 7, were two of the younger riders. Charlotte rode 110 laps and Kaisorn did 78 laps. What an amazing effort! |
 |
RIPE FOR RENOVATION: Doug Bonnitcha, Bible Society Southern Action Group chairman, and Pat Flanagan, of the Central Men’s Shed, check out the donated bikes. |
What could be better than spending the morning of AFL Grand Final day riding around a suburban bike track to raise money for Bible Society literacy projects?
For 48 Hobartians, and their many sponsors, there was nothing better.
Blessed with a superb day and an enthusiastic group of riders, some powered around like pros and others ambled along like… well, they just weren’t in a hurry at all.
Tim, Derek and the team from Wellspring did a great job co-ordinating the ride, ably supported by volunteers from churches around Hobart.
Next year, Tim’s planning a road ride in conjunction with the track ride, because with the increase in riders over the past two years the New Town oval track has at times been a bit congested.
In a new development, the Central Men’s Shed collected around 20 old bikes that people donated to be renovated and given to refugees and other needy people in the community.
2008 Tour de Youth Ride Report
Ride report by Paul Edwards, Ride Leader
Our ride this year travelled through some of the most beautiful countryside of our state. We left on an overcast Sunday morning from Australind and headed off for Busselton. We had a few new leaders on the ride, Colin and Jenny Spencer from Bunbury. Jenny’s first task was to man the bus and trailer to travel behind the team and warn them of traffic. A bit of a baptism of fire but she did such a great job, we kept her there for most of the ride. Husband Colin rode for most of the week, thoroughly enjoying the interaction with the kids and other leaders. One of our leaders had a minor spill from his bike on the road into Capel, witnessed by three of the locals to make it just the more humbling. This was the only incident on the ride.
After a lunch stopover in Capel, we reached Busselton, where we were hosted by the Church of Christ.
Monday morning saw us heading off again in drizzling rain to make a stopover at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory for lunch. One of the features of the Tour de Youth is the healthy, yummy meals along the way. Food Bank were able to provide some Magnum icecreams and, along with the chocolate from the factory, the riders were fuelled all the way to the Deer farm on Caves road where we spent the night. The venue was great with a pool and table tennis table and heaps of room to spread around.
The rain just pelted down during the night, a little noisy in a tin shed. Our morning ride took us to Margaret River main break beach at Prevelly Park and on to Giants Cave for lunch. The ride to Karridale took us through the Boranup forest; an amazing part of God’s creation, our ride making use of a very hilly gravel road through the middle.
The folk at Augusta Anglican Church provided the venue for Tuesday night and our evening meal. We all appreciated this great example of country hospitality. Wednesday morning the wind was from the west and blowing strong. Road speeds were high and as the rain was steady the distance through to Nannup was covered very quickly. Riding through the most beautiful bush land with all the wild flowers had Colin, an environmental scientist and budding botanist in raptures.
Wednesday night was spent at the Goose Hut at the Loose Goose property, 6km out of Nannup. Our hosts Grant and Larraine are great supporters of our team and donated the cost of our stay to the Bible Society.
Our last day’s ride was from Nannup back to Busselton. Most of the team jumped into the water at Busselton, I’m not sure exactly why, it sure looked cold to me. The ladies at the Seventh Day Adventist church set up a lovely meal for us, presenting us with medals and a card each congratulating us on our efforts for God’s kingdom.
We returned to Bunbury on Friday morning after a cooked breakfast again by the SDA ladies and ran our car and caravan through the car wash before everyone headed back for home. Our team raised over $5,000 for their efforts and all the participants left planning for the next Tour de Youth ride with great enthusiasm.
Womens Ride featured in Central & Midlands Adocate
Ruby Carter and Tanya Chapman were featured in a recent edition of the Central & Midlands Advocate. The article mentions the recent womens ride and also featured a nice plug for next years 2009 Perth to Sydney ride.
Ruby was actually part of the Perth to Hobart ride 5 years ago, not 8 as the article suggests.
2/10/2008 5:51:00 PM
TWO Moora women cycled from York to Perth over two days recently to raise money for literacy work around the world.
Bike for Bibles is an annual ride which Ruby Carter has been doing for eight years.
This year she was joined by fellow cycling enthusiast Tanya Chapman and two other women from Perth on the 90km ride.
Eight years ago Mrs Carter made the cycle from Perth to Hobart and four years ago cycled to Adelaide for the fundraiser.
Next August Mrs Carter will be joined by her husband Lyall and friends Luke Humphries, Chris Porter and Ms Chapman when they will ride from Perth to Sydney.
Bike for Bibles supports literacy work around the world, with New Reader Scripture Booklets being distributed to help people learn how to read in their own language, while learning about the Gospel.
Mr and Mrs Carter and a number of community members from all walks of life meet every Saturday morning at 8.30am at the Moora Telecentre and go for a cycle.
The cycle can be as fast or as relaxed as the individual requires and the group accommodates all fitness levels.
Mrs Carter encourages all community members to come for a ride with no on-going commitment required.
Updates
Subscribe via a Reader