Fund Raising Country Style

The riders are off, for the first loop of the day

Each rider gets a quick briefing and number check as they depart, and the numbers are checked as they come in at the  eand of each loop and finish of the day.

For about the last 14 years on one of the last 2 weekends in March the Waiau Primary School has been running a trial bike ride - and it is now THE trail bike ride, with both days usually full with approximately 500 riders!  People have even come from other countries to  spend the weekend riding over farm land.  It has been copied, but nothing else quite compares apparently - and the reason at the end of the day, is they also get fed really, really well.  And the riders get to watch videos at night of the day's thrills and spills!

Most of the riders couldn't tell you anything about the views, all they want to do is get around the course as fast as possible, but there are always a few oldies, and farmers from  afar,  that spend a bit of time stopping just to look, just not a peaceful look as the bike noise travels for miles.

So no more cake stalls and sausage sizzles raising a couple of hundred dollars, but the net profit for the ride is now in the middle $20,000's.  It is a huge weekend, but so worth it to provide the kids with educational extra's.