Release of dates for the West to East 2012 Downunder Bicycle Tour for charity.

The tour will commence from Perth the capital city of Western Australia on Wednesday the 1^st August 2012.  The tour will end at the footsteps of the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 2^nd September 2012. 

The tour will consist of 28 riding days at an average of 140kms.  You may think that this is a long way to ride each day, but the terrain you will be travelling over is mostly flat with gentle undulations.  This period of the year has been chosen to catch the prevailing westerly winds that cross our continent during this time of the year.  You can expect some very cold temperatures when we hit the Nullarbor Plains, so a good quality sleeping bag and tent will be a must to bring along.

The tour will be broken into 6 stages, with 5 rest days to rest those tired legs and to see some of the amazing sites this country has to offer. 

This tour is NOT a race although there will be the opportunity to take part in a ride against the clock on the longest straightest section of road in this country.  Some call it the race of truth. 

The tour will be supported by 5 staff.  A Tour Director qualified Chef, a former Olympic road cyclist and multiple medallist at world track championships, 2 assistants, and two vehicles to carry your gear from one side of the continent to the other.  One vehicle brings the luggage and kitchen equipment to the end of day campsite, so all you have on your bike is enough food and water to get you through the day.. The other vehicle gives support on the road and provides a lunch half way through stage.

Price: $5000.  AUS.  A deposit of $500 non-refundable deposit is required by the 1^st January 2012. There are limited spaces for this tour and a minimum number required for the tour to go ahead.  Please note this a ride to support a fantastic charity and a significant portion of your fee will go directly to help those in need.

We provide on cycling days an extensive breakfast of bread, cereals, fruit, and a tasty lunch will be awaiting you at the half way point each day. In addition, we will take care that you can recover with a nice cup of soup and tea/coffee when you get off your bike at the end of the day.  It will be the riders responsibility to put up/down their own tents each day.

The Chef will dish up a meal full of carbohydrates and all nutrients your body needs to get you through the next day.  You will not go hungry on this tour.  That we guarantee.  We do not serve food on the rest days as this gives staff a chance to take a break. The journey is supported by a bicycle mechanic.

During the tour we’ll be spending each night at caravan parks along the way.  However, you have the option to book a room/lodge at the park if you get tired of sleeping in the tent.  This of course is at the expense of the rider. This can be convenient on the rest days. We will provide you with information about alternatives.

For those of you who are interested in the London Olympics, the cycling schedule is as follows;

The men's Road Race will take place on 28 July, with the women's held on 29 July 2012.

The men’s and women’s time trials will be held on the 1 August 2012.

The men’s and women’s velodrome events will be conducted from Thursday 2^nd – Tuesday 7^th August 2012.

So, what do you get for your investment?

  •  Accommodation based on camping

  • Accommodation before the start in Perth and after the finish in Sydney.  1 night each.

  •  Breakfast, lunch and dinner ( during cycling days )

  •  Fruit, water, sport drinks, energy bars and soup in the afternoons ( during cycling days )

  •  Transport of luggage

  • Organisation of the tour.

  • A qualified first aid officer will support this tour.

  • Support by a bike mechanic.

  •  Daily detailed description of the route

   • West to East 2012 Downunder bicycle tour cycling jersey.

The entry fee excludes : 

   • Transfer to the start and from the finish of the tour.

  •  Personal health- and travel-insurance

  •  Food on rest days plus dinner on nights before rest days

  •  Visa

  •  Entry fees of tourist sites

So, that's a brief overview of the ride for charity 2012.  If you're interested and would like to know more about the tour, please drop me a line at tbwall@hotmail.com  Once I receive confirmation from the charity I'll post that information immediately.  Once you've decided to take part in this tour and a deposit is taken, full details will be forwarded to you.

Safe riding, 1 year to go.