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SILHOUETTE: Riders head towards their overnight stop between Erldunda and Marla as night falls. Photos by SGT Brent Tero
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For 20 members from RAAF Base Edinburgh, charity began not at home but on the dry banks of the Todd River in Alice Springs as they set off on their bicycles for the Todd to Torrens charity bike challenge.
An initiative of GPCAPT John Teager, Commander of the Aerospace Operational Support Group (AOSG), the eight-day, 1555 km ride from Alice Springs to Adelaide not only developed leadership skills, teamwork, physical and mental fortitude, initiative and resourcefulness, but also raised a significant amount of money for Legacy and the Neurosurgical Research Foundation, with hopefully more donations to come through additional fund-raising events.
The Todd to Torrens team of riders and support crew comprised mainly members from AOSG, but was complemented by a few other Air Force and APS staff from Edinburgh.
Setting off from the banks of the Todd with the blessing of the Mayor of Alice Springs, the ride took in Erldunda, Marla, Coober Pedy, Glendambo, Woomera and Port Germein before finishing at the Torrens Parade Ground alongside the River Torrens where the team were met and congratulated by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide.
The Air Force hot-air balloon from 28SQN accompanied the riders sporting its colourful livery at Alice Springs, Coober Pedy, Roxby Downs, Port Augusta and Adelaide.
Riding each day from dawn to dusk in relay, nearly all the riders clocked up in excess of 1000kms. Two of the team, GPCAPT Teager and FLTLT Piotr Baizert, rode the whole distance.
“Unseasonably strong headwinds were the bane of the ride and the environment offered little in the way of protection or respite. The challenge certainly lived up to its name,” said media liaison officer WOFF Tina Cini.
“We had a few injuries along the way but nothing major; sore buttocks was the biggest complaint among riders.
“The support crew were outstanding. Not only did they do all the usual things to keep the team on the road but also devised a number of novel and innovative ways to keep spirits up and morale high.”
GPCAPT John Teager said there had always been a very active cycling community at RAAF Base Edinburgh. “We wanted to undertake a major ride that would not only challenge ourselves but at the same time allow us to give something back to two very worthy charities,” he said.
“We chose Legacy because it is dedicated to providing care and support services to the families of veterans who died on active service or subsequently; and the South Australian- based Neurosurgical Research Foundation for its commitment to saving lives through funding research into diseases and injuries of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system.”
For SGT Mick Bott, a flight test photographer from 87SQN, it was a chance to visit familiar territory after developing an interest in photography at Loxton High School and photographing local sporting events for the Loxton News.
For 28SQN Commanding Officer SQNLDR Shawn Jenkins, the balloon visit formed part of the ADF’s ongoing community support.
“This balloon visit is part of an Air Force effort to connect regional Australia with its Air Force,” SQNLDR Jenkins said.
“There are only a few Air Force bases in each state, so 28SQN travels with its balloon to towns that may not have regular contact with the military. It is a way of bringing a bit of the Air Force to the community.”
Tax deductible donations in support of the Todd to Torrens bike challenge are welcome until the end of October. Visit www.toddtotorrens.com, phone (08) 82319812 or post a cheque or money order to Todd to Torrens Challenge, P.O. Box 698, North Adelaide, SA, 5006.
