Background
The genesis of our Ride was in early 1994 when then District Governor Tony Carr mooted the idea the idea of raising funds under the banner of our Lions Eye Health Program (LEHP) particularly for eye research. The intention is to involve as many Lions Clubs in our District to be involved in a social fundraising bike ride on quiet sealed rural roads across our Lions District 201V3 – Mallacoota to the Mornington Peninsular. The planning, management, organisation and efforts of the first organising committee set the scene and standard for our Rides through the years.
Purpose and Concept
Apart from raising funds for eye research the other aim is to involve as many clubs as possible along the way by hosting overnight stops, morning and afternoon teas and lunches. It was a means for Clubs to interact and assist each other in delivering a safe and enjoyable District project. Non riding Club members and community members assist by being marshals and being transport and support drivers.
Our annual Ride was, and still is, promoted and run, as a social fund-raising event (not a race) on quite sealed rural or local back roads. It is open to Lions and the community to join in raising funds for eye research into preventable blindness. Finds raised from riders, Lions Clubs and commercial sponsors are donated to the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA). The Ride has raised and donated over $1.2million since 1994.
Early Rides
Our first Ride started in Mallacoota on 22 April 1994. It finished at CERA five days and 580km later Sunday 26 April 1994. The Ride was a success, and the same course was repeated the following year (1995). Again, with similar success.
The Mallacoota to Melbourne Ride was repeated on its 10th anniversary in 2003. The ride was split into two stages to cater to those wanting a shorter less challenging ride. The first stage was the full distance (Mallacoota to CERA in Melbourne). The second stage was from Lakes Entrance for the remainder of the leg to Melbourne.
Early Rides
Our first Ride started in Mallacoota on 22 April 1994. It finished at CERA five days and 580km later Sunday 26 April 1994. The Ride was a success, and the same course was repeated the following year (1995). Again, with similar success.
The Mallacoota to Melbourne Ride was repeated on its 10th anniversary in 2003. The ride was split into two stages to cater to those wanting a shorter less challenging ride. The first stage was the full distance (Mallacoota to CERA in Melbourne). The second stage was from Lakes Entrance for the remainder of the leg to Melbourne.
Current Rides
Rides are run in late summer or early autumn each year. It is over four days covering 350 to 400km. There is also an alternative ride called a ‘Ride with a Difference’ for those who are unable to ride the four-day event. This alternative is over a four-week period preceding the start of the four-day Ride where riders are can nominate the distances and locations they wish to ride.
Participants
Participants, include hosting Clubs, volunteers, riders and sponsors and committee members. They are all important elements our Ride.
Rider numbers are capped around 50. Riders have come from all over, especially from the Gippsland region and Melbourne. We have also had several from NSW, one from the UK, Western Australia and many from Melbourne and around the state. The return rider participation is over 60% which is something to be proud of. Five riders have ridden over 20 events and nine have participated over 15 rides.
Rider age range from mid-teens to 80 years old. The largest age cohort is 55-60 years. Followed by the 60-65 years. This has been the case for over the last couple of decades.
Although the early Rides consisted mostly of males, the proportion of female riders has steadily increased to well over 30% especially since the mid 2000.
Our Rides would not have been possible without hosting Lions Clubs along the way. They provide healthy and hearty meals, drinks and snacks during and overnight accommodation after a long day’s ride.
Lions, community and commercial support are an integral part of our event. They act as marshals safely guiding and keeping riders and support vehicles safe and on course. They also double up when required in preparing morning teas and lunches when there are no hosting clubs available to cater for at these stops.
Enquiries to: lionsrideforsight@gmail.com
