Ready to ride
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
WHEN the 16th annual Ride For The Chopper begins in Dubbo on September 16 it will do so with around 60 riders preparing to ride some 640km in seven days.
They will also be raising money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service that has received more than a million dollars from the bike rides since its inception to help ensure no one will ever have to pay to be assisted.
Some 630 riders have ridden the various courses including the two big ones – Barossa to Tamworth and Cameron Corner to Tamworth – ride organiser Michael Wilson said.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “Our riding teams raised a lot of money for the service.
“We’ve also had many generous sponsors over the year too. Without them we would not have been able to do it.
“And then there’s people like Carlo (Caro’s IGA) and Danny. Danny (Calala Inn publican Danny Camilleri) has ridden 12 of them and is going to ride again.”
The Calala Inn is the unofficial base for the Chopper’s mountain bike riders.
They meet there every Sunday and complete a 30km to 40km ride out and back to the pub.
It is as popular for the ride as the post-ride refreshments and bonding.
And so it is with the annual rides.
The camaraderie whilst riding is good, healthy fun.
And then the after-ride social functions organised at each and every staging post adds an greater level of social interaction.
Last year’s ride from Mudgee to Tamworth was a tough one too.
What was the best part of that The Leader asked Michael Wilson at last Friday’s Ride For The Chopper launch at the Calala Inn.
“Finishing,” was the rather large individual’s reply.
Mudgee was a tough ride.
At one stage they rode across the ranges from Ellerston to Hanging Rock (near Nundle).
“We’ve gone from the hills to the flat land this year,” Wilson laughed in a thankful fashion.
“We will go through a bit of the Pilliga at one stage from Tooraweenah Baradine.
Starting in Dubbo the 2016 Alive and Well Ride For The Chopper winds its way to Gilgandra, Tooraweeneah, Baradine, Coonabarabran, Gunnedah and “home” to Tamworth.
Wilson is confident that 55-60 riders will take the time to raise money and ride this year.
“It’s been around about that number the last three or four years,” he said.
“We have been lucky to have something like 630 all up over the years. It’s exciting too to be going into our 16th ride.”
He said anyone wanting to ride can contact him but they needed to do so quickly before they cut off entries.
Riders must raise a minimum of $500 to be able to take part and then have a five-star experience with the best support crew this side of the Nullarbor.
RIDE FOR THE CHOPPER SPONSORS
Alive and Well, BHP, Bidvest, Carlos IGA, Pirtek, NSEnergy, ATAC, ORICA, Calala Inn, Studioe, NBN Television, Bakers Delight, Peel Valley Motors, Lions Club of Tamworth, Jacksons Restorations, Tamworth Plaster Works, Thrifty, 92.9/1287, Happy Smiles Dental, Pacific National, McKnight Signs, Calala Inn Fishing and Social Club and our community.
Noms flood in
THE GRAFTON Cup Carnival starts today with a booming beginning.
The Clarence River Jockey Club received 211 nominations across seven races earlier this week for the first of the five meetings in 10 days that make up the Grafton July Racing Carnival.
Today’s feature races – Grafton Cup Prelude (2200m) and John Carlton Quality (1200m) – also give their respective winners ballot exemption for next week’s $160,000 Grafton Cup (2350m) and $160,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m).
CRJC chief executive, Michael Beattie, said the big nominations for Thursday’s opening suggest 2016 will be one of the biggest Grafton carnivals in recent years.
“The interest from visiting trainers is at an all-time high, especially for Queensland. It seems to be growing immeasurably,” Beattie said.
“I think we are looking at one of the best carnivals based simply on the amount of enquiries from trainers.”
Beattie cited 21 entries for the Cup Prelude and 19 for the John Carlton Cup as an example of the local support for the carnival.
“These races normally struggle to attract big fields but that isn’t the case this year. It’s a good sign that there are so many horses around the country looking for runs at the carnival,” he said.
Farewell party
MY time here at The Leader is quickly coming to an end.
After more than 30 years my redundancy kicks in on August 12. Adding a nice touch for me is the fact Mike Cashman has taken it upon himself to organise a farewell and thankyou from all the local sporting groups, clubs and associations who have all been promoted, reported on and results printed by myself over the years.
Mike has organised a shindig for Friday, July 29 at the Tamworth Jockey Club. All are invited, everyone is welcome.
For more information ring Mike on 67658610.
It’s a 6pm start for a few refreshments and nibblies.
Might even have a television on so we can have a punt or two. Might have to get Kenny Muller or Terry O’Shea to put up their boards. Crown and anchor. Now there’s a plan.
Which reminds me: Tony Windsor wins the sporting award this week for his grace in defeat in the federal election. He also warned voters that there might be a hung parliament and voting him in would have put this electorate in a far better position to get a better deal for New England and regional Australia
generally.