18.8 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Sydney to Surfers riders roll into Ballina for a great cause

Latest News

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.

Other News

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival

Caper Byron Bay Food & Culture Festival returns to Byron Bay in May, and this year ‘locals favourite’ pub...

Heavy traffic on M1 predicted over Easter long weekend

Bottlenecks in Northern NSW are predicted to occur at Coffs Harbour and Tugun over the Easter long weekend. This is expected to be further impacted by work on the Pacific Highway just north of the Queensland border.

‘Smooth stroking’ Rainbow Dragons earn trophies

Rainbow Dragons (Lennox Head Ballina) won three trophies and had a fantastic weekend of fun, fitness and friendship at Grafton Dragon Boat Club’s regatta earlier in March.

Peter Garrett gives Bluesfest the nod

If I say the words ‘US Forces give the nod’, I can pretty much guarantee that you will hear the unmistakable voice of Peter Garrett ringing in your ears. Your head may even start to bob up and down a bit. 

Zoom meeting

Just to clarify the report that Michael Lyon now declares ‘no’ to developing Ann St and New City Road....

Byron Council staff baulk at councillors’ promise of free parking for locals

Will Byron Council deliver on its pledge to make parking permits free for locals across the Shire when paid parking comes into force in Brunswick Heads?

Riding from Sydney to Surfers for Youth Off The Streets are Zac, Johnny, Jamie, Josh and Mia. Photo David Lowe.

80 cyclists pedalled into Ballina from Grafton yesterday, just one of seven long days in the saddle for participants in the Sydney to Surfers Robbo’s Ride. This annual event raises funds for Father Chris Riley’s not-for-profit organisation Youth Off The Streets, which is tackling youth homelessness head-on in Sydney.

John Martin is a Sydney teacher who has ridden the event seven times, but is playing a moral support role in the team car this time round, due to a recently broken wrist. He spoke to The Echo about a group of young people associated with Youth Off The Streets who are riding the entire distance this year, despite very limited cycling experience.

One of the packs in the Sydney to Surfers ride for Youth Off The Streets arrives in Ballina. Photo David Lowe.

Keeping off the main freeway, the riders are taking the long way north, with a total distance of 1,000 kilometres. The five young people participating in the ride this year are from schools in Western Sydney.

Have the kids done much training? ‘Following COVID, we didn’t get a chance to do as much training as we would have liked. The maximum anyone’s done in one day was 30 kilometers,’ said Mr Martin.

So they’re going over 100 kilometers a day since leaving Sydney – how are they coping? They’re having a great time, mostly! I’m cheering them on as they go through the milestone destinations.’

Youth Off The Streets (except when they’re pedalling on the road)

Could you tell us more about what the ride is raising money for? ‘Youth Off The Streets essentially takes care of a lot of students who are homeless or have experienced trauma and abuse in their lives,’ said Mr Martin.

Another happy rider arrives in Ballina on the epic fundraising ride. Photo Davd Lowe.

He explained that Rotary Engadine has supported the event for 25 years, with $3.5 million raised in that time (they are now looking for a new major sponsor to join Macsim, Kelloggs and others).

He said all money donated to youthoffthestreets.com.au went straight to supporting young people in need ‘with their recess, lunch, breakfast, food hampers, hygiene, shelter, accommodation – all the things that we provide.

‘That is exactly where your money goes towards with this ride in particular. Great things happen!’

John Martin said the weather had been great for the ride so far, with most people being very hospitable.

‘We might upset a few people by making them a bit late to their destination,’ he said. ‘But for the most part, everyone knows what we’re doing and what we’re trying to achieve. And they know that the students are actually on the ride as well. So they’re like,
“Well done to you!” Let’s cheer them on. It’s been great.’

Riding from Sydney to Surfers for Youth Off The Streets are Mia, Josh, Jamie, Johnny and Zac. Photo David Lowe.

Knock on effects

Mr Martin said that after previous years, student riders had been contacted by major cycling clubs, ‘because they’ve done the entire 1,000 kilometres, and sometimes with the faster packs.

‘Now they’re a part of the cycling community. Some have started bike mechanic jobs, others have done cycling scholarships, all sorts of things.

‘This year, we’ve got one young fella at the moment who’s really enjoying it, and he’s never done cycling before. There’s a few great mentors on this ride.’

And how are they coping fitness-wise? That’s a lot of kilometres each day for people who aren’t used to it. ‘What they’ve found mostly is the resilience, the mind fitness. While the physical fitness may not be at peak – myself very much included! – they’ve realised how strong they are mentally.

‘So that hill, both metaphorically and physically, is no longer something they can’t overcome.’

Bonding

Mr Martin has been impressed at the way everyone is supporting each other. ‘They are pushing each other up the hills, and we’ve got teachers and youth workers and councillors here too, everyone’s helping. But absolutely yeah, it’s a real bonding experience for them.

Olympic and Commonwealth Games cyclist Katey Bates. Wikipedia CC.

‘It’s just been inspirational.’

He said SBS TV’s Tour de France stalwart Mike Tomalaris is involved in Sydney To Surfers, along with Olympian and Commonwealth Games cyclist Katey Bates, who’s running a virtual race program in conjunction with the ride on Zwift.

The riders will all be setting off again from Ballina early this morning, and heading north. Give them a wave if you see them on the road, and remember it’s not too late to support, Youth Off The Streets, here.

If you’re interested in riding the event yourself next year, or getting involved as a sponsor, go here to find out more.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.