AN EPIC motorcycle trip across Australia and back again – instigated on the Border – is on a mission.
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PAMS (Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney) Motorcycle Across Australia 2017 aims to raise $105,000 for Guide Dogs Victoria.
It takes $35,000 to raise one Guide Dog.
Kiewa couples Brian “Beetle” and Trish Bayley and Noel and Judy Hawkins set off from Perth on Boxing Day.
PAMS project manager Judy Hawkins said they would cover 9000 kilometres from Perth to Sydney and return throughout the 28-day challenge.
She said they took the bikes to Perth on trailers ahead of the challenge.
“We will cross the Nullarbor four times in the end, covering 13,500 kilometres in total,” she said.
Mrs Hawkins said the ride took inspiration from Winifred Wells’ epic trip in 1950-51.
Aged 22, Winifred Wells left Perth on Boxing Day in 1950 and rode her Royal Enfield Bullet 350cc motorcycle solo to Sydney and return.
“(Tour leader) Brian is riding the same motorcycle as Winifred had,” Mrs Hawkins said.
“He can only go 80kmh so he’s leaving at 6.30am each day well before the rest of us.
“He’s doing it hard but Winifred would have done it harder!”
Mrs Hawkins said the couples were motivated to help vision-impaired people, having personal experience in their own families.
“Brian’s grandfather was vision-impaired, which has inspired him,” she said.
Mrs Hawkins said the Kalgoorlie community had rallied around them after a computer and other items were stolen from their van during their stay.
“Kalgoorlie really got behind us and people have been donating from the town,” she said.
There are six stages of the journey, with riders free to join at any stage. Stage 1 – Perth to Adelaide (Southern Cross, Kalgoorlie, Fraser Range, Eucla, Fowlers Bay, Streaky Bay, Gladstone); Stage 2 – Adelaide to Melbourne (Keith, Ballarat); Stage 3 – Melbourne to Sydney (Albury, Yass); Stage 4 – Sydney to Melbourne (Cootamundra, Yackandandah); Stage 5 – Melbourne to Murray Bridge (Stawell); and, Stage 6 – Murray Bridge – Perth (Port Pirie, Kimba, Penong, Border Village, Madura, Norseman, Hyden, Brookton).
The team will hold a fundraising event at the Blazing Stump Hotel in Wodonga on January 6 in support of Guide Dogs Victoria.
The fundraiser raffle starts at 5.30pm, with tickets drawn by 8pm.
Bookings essential for dinner on (02) 6024 2041.
To donate visit pamsmcride.com.au.
PAMS Motorcycle Across Australia 2017 leaves Hume Weir for Yass at 9am on January 7.
