B2B2 riders return with eyes on $100,000 charity target

LOCAL cyclists taking part in fundraising ride Bridge2Bridge2 (B2B2) were greeted by family, friends and the local community when they returned home at the weekend.
The 20 cyclists from Barwon Heads Cycling Club (BHCC), plus three support crew, took off from Adelaide last Wednesday – riding 175km for five days – and returned home on Sunday.
The fundraising ride has so far raised more than $40,000 for local organisations Give Where You Live Foundation and the Andrew Love Cancer Centre, and an anonymous person has offered to match “dollar for dollar” all funds raised.
BHCC president Andrew Quayle said he was very proud of everyone who took part in the ride, and with the fundraising page still open for a couple more days, hoped to hit $50,000.
“What we have done is amazing… I mean it’s not ground-breaking, but it’s taken 23 of us to take time off work and spend time away from our families, and it’s taken a lot of organisation, but it’s what we were able to do to help raise this money.
“And then someone in their own capacity contacted me on Saturday, and then confirmed on Sunday, that they could help by matching dollar for dollar all funds raised.
“I was blown away, and then to be able to announce it to all our family and friends when we arrived back on Sunday was incredible.”
Mr Quayle said any donation, no matter what amount, had helped to contribute to the almost final tally.
He said the ride produced some pleasant but also challenging conditions, proving the most difficult during their ride through torrential rain into Colac.
“We had to ride 182 kilometres in pouring rain into Colac.
“We were riding for about two kilometres before we were all drenched, and then we had to continue for another 180 kilometres. It was very cold, challenging and dangerous.”
But he said the skies opened up and delivered sunshine for their final day to Barwon Heads on Sunday.
The fundraising page will be open for a few more days. To donate, head to givewhereyoulive.secure.force.com/Fundraise/Bridge2Bridge2 or to follow the club’s progress, follow Barwon Heads Cycling Club Inc on Facebook.