Romac

Coffs Rotary Rides for ROMAC

When will it take Place?

The Ride for a smile 500k in 24 hours challenge takes place at the Coffs Harbour Velodrome on Saturday September 27th. Starting time is 10am and expected completion time is approx. 6am on the following day. Download Application Form here. Download Sponsors' Pack here.

What will be happening?

Several single riders will be attempting to ride the entire 500km, plus teams of up to 6 riders will share the kilometres. Average speed for these cyclists will be approx. 28kph. Individual riders will be allowed a 10- minute "comfort" break every 2 hours and at around the halfway mark there will be a 30 minute break to allow a change to warmer gear for the night and a hot meal. A ladies team will be cycling on the top section of the velodrome for the duration of the ride. Pace riders will join the field to assist in keeping up momentum, especially in the early hours of the morning.

Whilst the ride is undertaken on the velodrome we will also have activities taking place on the surrounding grounds. We will have bands/singers entertaining during the Saturday daylight hours and also food/drinks stalls and static vehicle displays eg Harley Davidsons to both encourage the riders and entertain spectators.

Given this is happening in Bike Week, we will also be running a number of cycling activities including:

- Helmet checks for both children and adults including the correct way to wear a helmet (so many wear one without doing them up correctly)

- Cycling skills development "fun" particularly for children, on the criterium circuit adjoining the velodrome

- Road safety forum which discusses all aspects of road safety for children - Fun rides on the top of the velodrome

- Displays of various bicycles eg various types of single bikes eg road versus mountain, as well as tandems, triplets, trikes, recumbents and combinations for family riding.

- Bike checks i.e. checks of brakes, gears and tyres and basic "how to" advice on bike maintenance.

This event is a project of the Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour City and is supported by the various bike groups in Coffs Harbour as well as individual volunteers.

Who is it for?

Rotary's ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children).
Coffs Riders

Long Term Goal:

Major Steve Metcher who instigated the ride idea would like to see rides taking place across Australia for this cause, and all at the same time. There are currently two ROMAC rides:

Coffs Harbour 500km or 1500 loops of the velodrome
Queensland Blackwater to Longreach which takes place in June.

Coffs Harbour Ride History:

This is the 4th time the ride will be held in Coffs Harbour. The first ride in 2006 raised $10,000. The 2007 ride raised $14,349.00. A ride has already been held in 2008 and this raised in excess of $15,000 and then a decision was made to move the event to coincide with Bike Week and thus a second ride will take place this year and it is hoped that some $20,000 can be raised.

Thanks to our April sponsors and riders

Everyone knows that these events don't happen by themselves and so we'd like to thank a few people who helped us with the April Ride for a Smile Coffs City Logo
Firstly many thanks to our riders, without whom this event could not happen. There are too many team riders to mention individually, however we'd like to mention our 500km solo riders: Shaun Anderson, Reece Edwards, Major Steve Metcher, Rusty Reid, Tom Richter, Neal Shannon and Brian Whitcher.

Many businesses contributed sponsorship by way of dollars and good and services and we'd like to thank: 23 on a good night, 2AirFM, ABC local radio, Bellingen Ukelele Group, Bob Wallis Cycles, Coffs Coast Advocate, Coffs Harbour City Council, Harbourside Marketing Concepts, John Bartley Music, John Curtin Music, McDonalds Coffs Harbour, Mid Coast Observer, NBN Television, Prime Television, Subway Coffs Harbour and Toormina, The Coffs Coast Advocate, Willaid, and Woodseys Wheels Thanks too to the faithful support crew, June Durkin, Pamela and Bill Gauci, Leanne Lloyd, Julia Metcher and Cheryl Dooley.

Support Required:

* More riders to complete the event including individuals, ladies and those wanting to be part of a team

* Pace riders to help the main riders stay on time. Need to be proficient to ride at 26-28kph

* Entertainers

* Food and activity operators to attend on the day to provide support to riders, supporters and spectators and to assist in raising funds.

* Sponsorship and donations

* Spectators to cheer the riders along.

Win two return tickets on Virgin Blue

Virgin Blue Logo Simply by being the biggest individual fundraiser for the 27 September ROMAC Ride for a Smile you could win two tickets from your closest Virgin Blue port to any destination on the Virgin Blue domestic network.