Riders Unite to aid Bushfire Victims with Ride for the Hills

Sunday 5th April 2009

Report by Sharyn & Dean                                                        Return to Reports 2009 Index

 

The VMMA. attended The Riders Unite to aid Bushfire Victims with Ride for The Hills.

 

The event was run by the MRA on Sunday the 5th April and had an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 bikes turn out in force.

 

Adam, Sharyn, Jean and Bob at StKilda Pier.

 

VMMA. members Dean, Bob, Jean, Johno, Baron, Pedro and Sharyn left Mooroolbark and headed into the Docklands to pick up a passenger who was looking for a ride. Baron kindly offered to assist with this task. She had met up with VMMA members previously on the Prostrate Ride and asked if we could assist her with a ride for this event.

 

Pedro left us on the way into town and headed for home, he had come down for the Healesville installation the night before. We had a few moments trying to locate Barons Pillion as the designated Pick up spot put us right in the middle of the Melbourne fun run.

 

After a couple a phone calls she eventually located us and we were on our way to St Kilda Pier to join the ride. There was quite a good attendance for the ride from VMMA members, along the way we met up with Dave, Viv, Adam (from Sale), Garry Porter, Keith Fulstow, Woody, Kerry and Taxi.

 

Riders Unite Ride to raise funds to assist those affected by the recent Victorian Bush Fires, start of ride at St Kilda Pier.

 

The ride was scheduled to leave at 11am however it was delayed in the end and left about 11.30am, the number of bikes that turnout for the event was amazing and it would have taken at least 10 minutes from when the first bikes left until the last bikes started the ride.

 

With a full Police Escort the group started by turning left onto Beaconsfield Pde then went up Kerferd Rd winding our way through the city, along the way pedestrians and well wishes waved us off.

 

WOW it was so good not having to stop at any of those lights for a change. The Police were at every intersection and roundabout we passed through, blocking the cars (some looking a little frustrated as the procession would have taken some time to pass with no end in sight!) we went straight up the Westgate Freeway and onto the Ring Road where most of the V.M.M.A. members managed to regroup around the trike. Then up along the Hume to Donnybrook Rd were we went over the Bypass.

 

 

A very small part of the group ride at the Donnybrook bypass, small due to approximately 8000 motorcyclist were on the ride.

Just some of the 8000 plus motorcyclist at Whittlesea Park.

  

Dean even paused on the side of the Bypass to capture a photo. What a sight! ALL you could see down the Freeway for as far as you could see were bike lights, Amazing!

 

The ride turned into Plenty Rd and onto Whittlesea just in time for all the speeches.

 

The Mayoress of Whittlesea even arriving on the back of a trike, it was commented that it was not as nice as Bob and Jeans. The Park quickly filled with bikes and by the time the last bikes rolled in there was a mass of bikes and riders. Bikes, bikes and more bikes!!! There were speeches and even a live auction followed by a raffle.

 

The day was a great success and it was announcement at Whittlesea that over $200,000 dollars had been raised from enrolments alone.

 

 

Just some of the 8000 plus motorcyclist at Whittlesea Park.

VMMA was asked if we could give a lady a ride from StKilda to Whittlesea, Baron volunteered !!!!!

 

Sharyn, Viv, Dave, Woody & Kerry decided the best option to get food and drink was to head for the shops in Whittlesea as the food lines were long and slow at the oval.

 

As we strolled the main street we spotted Baron & Pillion in a café so we joined them, after much pleasant conversation and our hunger and thirst quenched we headed back to the oval.

 

Soon after everyone started departing and each rider chose their own way home.

 

Whittlesea Mayoress arriving on a trike.

 

For Dean it was through Kinglake, Toolangi then Healesville; it sure opens your eyes to the devastation of Black Saturday seeing all that damage left behind and how wide spread it was can sure bring a tear to your eye.

 

Bob Jean & Johno also went via Kinglake and Dave Viv & Sharyn headed back to the Ring Road, separating there and heading for their own destinations.