Background
The genesis of our Ride was in early 1994 when then District Governor Tony Carr mooted the idea together with the then Campaign Sight First Chairman George Barnard OAM (dec) and Lion Don Brady of raising funds under the banner of the then Campaign Sight First Program. Funds raise were to go to eye research into preventable blindness. At the time this project was a Multi District project where Districts set their fundraising targets. The intention of our Ride was to elevate our fundraising involvement while involving as many Lions Clubs as possible in our District to participate in a social fundraising bike ride on quiet sealed rural roads across our Lions District 201V3 – Mallacoota to the Mornington Peninsular. This initial project became our District’s annual Lions Ride for Sight. The planning, management, organisation and efforts of the first organising committee set the scene and standard for our Rides which continues till today.
Purpose and Concept
Apart from primary function of 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. Funds 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 $1million 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. Current Rides Rides are usually run in late summer or early autumn each year. It is generally 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’s 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
