THE bikes are serviced, the bags are packed and more than 20 cyclists are heading off into outback Queensland for a pioneering adventure.
The cyclists and a dedicated support crew will head off this Sunday (April 30) on the inaugural R’n’R MTB Adventure from Mareeba to Forsayth.
Organised by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, which also hosts the legendary Mount Franklin Cardiac Challenge bike ride, the new adventure takes participants into country they may never have seen or heard of before.
Foundation fundraising and marketing manager Glenys Duncombe said she had an incredible crew of volunteers who had helped plan and co-ordinate the adventure.
“It’s been a lot of hard work over many months but we’ve managed to pull it together and it’s going to be a fabulous adventure,” Ms Duncombe said.
“We know there is plenty of need for improved health services in the Far North and that’s what we’re aiming to do with this new adventure – improve facilities and improve health outcomes,” she said.
So far more than $8000 has been raised but we would like to reach at least $10,000,” she said.
“There are some medical conditions, where if people live in a regional area, they have less chance of survival than if they live in a big city so we’re trying to redress that imbalance.”
“Some of these small country towns that we’re travelling through are really struggling so bringing these riders through will boost their profile and their economy and hopefully we can get more people seeing their beauty,” she said.
Rider numbers have been deliberately kept small this year to enable organisers to refine the event, with a view to growing in future years.
Riders also have the opportunity of returning to the coast on the iconic Savannahlander train from Forsayth.
For further information about the new ride visit www.rnrmtbadventure.org.au.
