In the grandest of traditions, the Remembrance Bike Ride kicked off before dawn on 6 September outside the Art Gallery of NSW. Our intrepid band of cyclists rolled into the darkness, spurred on by caffeine, the watching camera of Channel 9 News, and the genuine desire to spend three days on the road to raise funds and awareness for our Police Family.
The weather gods smiled for most of the journey, compared to the howling winds and rain they’ve had to endure in previous years, and all three days of the ride were completed without incident or accident. On Day Two the riders spent the night at the Police Academy in Goulburn, with a stop at the Police Chapel the next morning a solemn reminder of who this ride is for.
Day Three saw the first challenging weather conditions of the ride, with a strong headwind fighting our cyclists most of the way, but with the National Police Memorial well and truly in their sights, nothing could daunt their spirits. Arriving in Canberra, a small remembrance ceremony was held to honour those lost too soon.
Thank you to all riders who took part, and to all the many people who stood behind them – from support crew and volunteers to the family and friends who encouraged them, and the many people who donated to make this such a worthwhile event. Thank you to the dedicated brains behind this operation, who for years have been running this event and making it the success it is. And thank you to the generous sponsors who are completely invaluable in making this happen: Police Bank, PANSW, EML, IOH, NSW First Aid, Motorola, and Bicycle NSW. Thank you, and thank you again.
