Bulletin – September 2016

Thanks to the financial support of the Victorian Government, some Sub-Branches of the RSL and private donors, we were able to conduct our second distance ride in 2016, following on from our inaugural Echuca to Melbourne event in 2012.

In this 50^th anniversary year of the Battle of Long Tan, we decided to mark the occasion by undertaking a 650km journey, starting from the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Walk at Seymour and ending at the Old Parliament House, Canberra.

This year we also welcomed (at Yass) another group of veterans, who rode from Queensland and then (in Canberra) by some ADFA cadets. We were granted permission to take our 100 strong peloton to Anzac Parade, where a short ceremony was conducted at the National Vietnam Memorial.   

As always the welfare of the riders was our focus and this year our new VetRide service trailer was put to good use. Our café racers were able to start each day with a freshly brewed Beraldo coffee, thanks to our onboard commercial coffee machine, complete with Barista ! 

It was a gutsy effort and all of our riders made the distance without mishap. Feedback has been positive and on behalf of the planning group, I thank all of those who participated, including our tireless volunteer support crew.  

We have now turned our attention to upcoming matters, the next being Open Day at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum Phillip Island, on Saturday 5 November 2016. On that day riders are invited to participate in a ceremonial ‘ride in’ under our arch and then followed by the comradeship and enjoyment of the planned events by the Museum, that I understand will include some live music by Russell Morris (‘I am the real thing ….’).

You are also welcome to have a ride on the Island beforehand and in due course our Ride Director will be sending out some information about suitable cycling routes. Details about timing etc. will be made available between now and November, so please come along and enjoy a reunion with your fellow riders and meet many others from our veteran community.   

In the next bulletin we will be providing details of our proposed ride event in March 2017, which is likely to be a static return to base event, covering both road and trail riding.

Peter Liefman

VetRide Chair