Right about now, there’s about a dozen cyclists somewhere south of the NSW border who are riding 360kms this weekend from Yarrawonga to Melbourne as a fundraiser for Forbesy. This ride was the idea of fellow Melbourne Triathlon Club member Peter Grant. Peter’s motivation to organise the ride is summarised in his statement “Given the amount of time that I spend on the streets of Melbourne on my bike, my love of all things triathlon and cycling related and the similarities between Mike’s family situation and mine this accident was a little to close to home. I felt I had to do something to to help.” Anyway, help he has. Peter is no stranger to raising money for charity, having raised many thousands of dollars over the last 2 years when he supported The Kids Foundation as a competitor in the 2007 (same one as Forbesy) and 2008 Australian Ironman Triathlon. Peter has mobilised his network and a few fellow MTC mates to raise money to support Forbesy’s visit to Project Walk in February.

The 360km ride signifies two Ironman bike rides…… 180kms for Forbesy and 180kms for each of the boys on the Long Ride. The details of this weekend’s ride are:

Saturday – 170kms, Yarrawonga to Mansfield via Wangaratta and Whitfield (over the edge of the Vic Alps) Click on this link to see map of Day 1 ride course

Sunday – 190kms, Mansfield to Elwood via Yea and Yarra Glen (rolling hills throughout) Click on link to see map of Day 2 ride course

Mike will be joining the boys for the last few kilometres of the bike ride on his new recumbent trike on the trip from Port Melbourne down to Elwood. Weather permitting, the boys are expecting to finish the ride between 1 and 2pm.

We will be at the BBQ/kids playground area next to the tennis courts at the Elwood Beach carpart from about 12 until about 4. I will have some snags, bread and hopefully some snacks for the riders.

For those who want to ride, the meeting point is the large rotunda on the foreshore at Port Melbourne – just south of station pier. I would guess that they would be riding from there somewhere between 12:30 and 1:30. They will be texting Mike when they are about 1 hour away so if you want me to text you – please e-mail your mobile number to monica@michaelforbes.org and I will make sure I send you a text to give you an hours notice.