by Phil on September 6, 2009
On Friday night the Licensees on the Central Coast hosted a function for dinner at the Reef Restaurant in Terrigal Haven. Dinner was delicious and the function was a hit. Over $11,000 raised. Thanks very much for all the effort that went into this very successful evening. It was a very late night as we all kicked on to Lilikoi at Crowne Plaza.
In the morning was our final briefing. Two yellow jerseys were handed out today. The first was to John Oulton. His fundraising efforts have been outstanding and at each function her outlined to guests his personal experience of Ronald McDonald House. His daughter, Imogen, recently received a double lung transplant and John and his family stayed at Ronald McDonald House in Melbourne. His heart warming story was well received by all and we congratulate Imogen on her recent achievements, receiving gold medals at the world transplant olympics!!!!
The second yellow jersey was awarded to Philip Willcockson for support of the group throughout the ride. I will wear the jersey with honour when I cycle. However my colleagues Zoran radisavljevic, Brendan Newman and all the other members of the support team are equally deserved of this recognition. Well done team, thanks very much for the experience!
We’d also like to thank the Crowne Plaza terrigal for their hospitality, organisation skills and assistance during our stay.
After our final briefing we set off up the Central Coast Highway. Phil Jobling gave Brendan, Zoran and I the brief. Take photos, lots of photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rideforsickkids
The guys absolutely powered. 7 days of hard cycling didn’t deter them from pushing ahead full power. In no time they arrived at McDonald’s Swansea. While this was a planned “drink stop” Jodie and Michael Feros kindly treated the guys to a bite so there were Big Macs and Angus Beef Burgers aplenty! Yum! Thanks Michale and Jodie for such a well organised stopover and for really showing the riders some great hospitality.
A Police Officer arrived and kindly offered to escort the convery to Ronald McDonald House Newcastle. This was very helpful for additional traffic control on busy roads and enabled the riders to bring home their cyclathon in style. Thanks very much for your help Senior Constable!
We arrived at Ronald McDonald House to the sund of cheers and the scent of barbeque. No time for rest gents. Time for group photos.
Families were delighted to see eachother again! Shortly after a mouth watering end of ride barbeque it was time for the Award ceremony. This is where it got enmotional. Every rider and support crew member was personally recognised for their contribution. Special mention for Ross Baines of Metroll who kindly paid for all the riders’ accomodation for the 8 nights. A very generous contribution. Lincoln Amidy of Pinnacle Team Events facilitated the award ceremony. Lincoln has been a critical member and took responsibility for safety and welfare. Great job Lincoln. You were a source of motivation and inspiration for all of us.
Phil Jobling announced the Rider’s Rider Award. Congratulations Robert Beattie. Rob hasn’t cycled for a long time, so his achievements, persistence and contributions in this ride were certainly respected and appreciated by the team.
Phil Jobling. I couldn’t possibly hope to detail Phil’s efforts without writing a book. Phil has worked on this project for months and has done so for 5 years now. Organising the Ride For Sick Kids each year is a mammoth task and every aspect has been organised to perfection. Nothing was left to guess work. Phil’s efforts are dererving of great recognition. It was awesome to see the look on Phil’s face when he announced that the rider has raised $302,050.
Yes over $300,000!!!! Phil’s ongoing efforts mean that the Ride For Sick kids has now raised $907,050 for Ronald McDonald House. That’s simply amazing!
Phil Jobling pictured below with imogen Oulton (mentioned above).
What an awesome adventure. Watch this space for the ride in 2010. I’m pretty sure everyone will return to partcipate again. I will too.
Finally, we’d like to thank all the following major sponsors for their support this year:
Hadley’s Cycles
McDonald’s
FSBA
McKey Distribution
Coca Cola
Ronald McDonald House Newcastle & Tamworth
Pinnacle Team Events
Giant
Kloster BMW Newcastle
Metroll
Caltex Energy NSW
we’d also like to thank the following sponsors:
Proquest Consulting
Bayer
QANTASLink
NSW Rural Fire Service
Fusion2 Graphics
NBN
Telstra
GME
Arnotts
Masterfoods
Perfection Fresh
Heroes and Legends
Complete Office Supplies
Cadbury
GU Sports
OSI International
Frantelle Springwater
investblue
X Strata Coal
Allied Mills
Patlite Accomodation Partners
Quality Hotel Powerhouse Armidale
Quality Hotel Powerhouse Tamworth
Acacia Motor Lodge Coonabarabran
El Dorando Merriwa
Baybrook Motor Inn Apartments Muswellbrook
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley
Crowne Plaza Terrigal
by Phil on September 4, 2009
We started today at 6:45am.Breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. Breakfast tasted awesome. Thanks to the Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley for your hospitality.
The guys decided on a premature break at the top of the hill before Freeman’s Waterhole. Just 2.5km before the downhill run to the Shell Service Station at Freeman’s. Soft. The stop at Freeman’s was also refreshing I understand.
Here’s a great shot through Cessnock.
We set off for Wyee Public School. David Bridger wore the yellow jersey today. He addressed the school, as did Lincoln Amidy and Ross Bingham. David was last man standing after our big night in terrigal and helped me write this blog at 3am. Davis can thank himslef for this very detailed description of himself. well done David. last Man Standing. KOM.
After the school visit the riders set out for Terrigal. Of note was the significant increase in highway traffic. Even though a convoy may pas, another was inbound.
There was plenty of roadside banter. By the time Bling and I checked in for all the rooms, the riders had arrived at the Reef in Terrigal Haven. They absolutely flew! Sausage sandwiches filled the empty stomachs.
Afterwards a great time was had by all at the Reef Terrigal (thanks to the local Owner/Operators) over dinner and drinks. The day was a huge success.
Off to Newcastle tomorrow!!
by Phil on September 4, 2009
As of Wednesday evening we have raised an amazing $282,000! With the help of everyone, we can do even better. Please - if you haven’t done so already, please make your donation now, and participate if you can in this wonderful event. We’ll bring it on home over the next couple of days!
by Phil on September 3, 2009
We started the day in very cold conditions. We could tell the riders were having difficulty warming the leg muscles. No better time for a group photo. Thanks again to the Baybrook Motor Inn for their outstanding hospitality. They even helped us wash clothes! Mal Coutts’ first ride today - thanks for your support!
The riders then pedalled the gruelling 300m flat ride to McDonald’s Muswellbrook for a mouth watering McDonald’s breakfast. Thanks Nick and Jenny for looking after the riders before their day of pedalling!
We set off for Branxton. The first thing that we noticed was a significant increase in traffic. It was almost like we were cycling along a major highway. Truck after truck and car after car passed the riders. Thanks very much to our support Crew who communicate so effectively and work as a great team to keep the riders safe. the support Crew are:
Trevor Coles who drives the tail-end Subaru Forester (Trevor is on the board of directors for Ronald McDonald House Newcaste):
Sue Smith and Elizabeth O’Sullivan who drive the Kloster BMW X5 up front to make sure the path is clear - thanks again Kloster BMW for your generous loan of this beautiful vehicle (Sue and Elizabeth are Owner/Operators of McDonald’s restaurants in Warners Bay and Tamworth):
John Kennedy who drives the McKey Distribution truck immediately behind the riders to make sure they’re protected from passing traffic (thanks again McKey for donating the truck for the week - very much appreciated):
We arrived at St Brigid’s Primary School. All the schools so far have been great. These guys gave us the warmest and loudest cheers yet! The kids surrounded the riders and even asked for autographs. Ross Baines and Lincoln Amidy then presented on RMHC and bicycle safety. It was then play time (more so for the riders I think) and after the bell rang again it was time to leave for Pokolbin. Thanks very much for your kind support St Brigid’s Primary School.
Lots of healthy banter among riders today, plus some light hearted signage to help the voyage. Nothing was over MA15+ (yet). Here’s a g-rated version as a flavour:
Brendan “Bling” Newman and Phil “Wilco” Willcockson arrived at the Crowne Plaza in Lovedale first. They were exceptionally organised and every aspect of the riders’ visit had been planned well and executed without a hitch. Thank you very much Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley. There was a live radio cross on 2MO FM and the riders then took time to relax over a BBQ lunch and a well deserved rest for the afternoon.
Tonight Crowne Plaza hosted a “Generation that Fashion Forgot - 70’s” party. What an awesome night. Jovial trivia and physical chalenges kept the controversy free flowing. Table 4 won. That was Lincoln’s table. Most people suggested favouritism but linc assures the group he remained impartial. Table 2 was the place to be. Thanks Lincoln Amidy of Pinnacle Events for hosting a fantastic night, we all had a great time. Linc in action:
Here’s the stats for the day:
For all the photos you’ve come to love:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rideforsickkids
Off to Terrigal tomorrow - woo hoo coastal pedalling!!
