SA's Greatest Community Cycling Event - Amy's Ride SA

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Southern Expressway car-free this Sunday morning as 3,000 cyclists are expected to participate in SA’s greatest community cycling event – Amy’s Ride SA.

On Sunday 4 November 2012, 2012 Paralympic Games Gold Medallist, Kieran Modra, South Australian track cycling Olympic bronze medallist Annette Edmondson, and 2012 World Road Cycling Silver medallist Rachel Neylan will be joining an anticipated 3,000 cyclists along the Southern Expressway at Amy's Ride SA, one of South Australia’s biggest community rides.

The iconic Southern Expressway will - for the fifth consecutive year - be temporarily closed to motor vehicles from 8am to 11.30am while participants ride from Flinders University to McLaren Vale, supporting Bicycle SA's and Amy Gillett Foundation's road safety campaigns in South Australia.

Christian Haag, CEO of Bicycle SA, says “Amy’s Ride SA offers riders (many of whom will be riding for the first time in a long time) a unique opportunity to ride the car-free Southern Expressway to McLaren Vale. Amy’s Ride SA is a great opportunity to ride with family and friends in a safe and supportive environment.”

Participants also have the opportunity to set and meet their personal challenge with new features added to the 2012 event, including timed sections along the Southern Expressway and up Old Willunga Hill, a 120km ride option which will take riders up Old Willunga Hill twice – just like the professionals – and a 18km Family ride along the Shiraz Trail, free to Onkaparinga residents.

Amy's Ride SA honours the memory of Amy, as South Australian elite cyclist who was killed by a motorist while riding in Germany and helps raise much needed funds for the Amy Gillett Foundation’s eliminate bike-related fatalities on our roads.

Amy Gillett Foundation CEO Tracey Gaudry says “To realise a safer environment for cycling, we need the help of individuals, communities, groups and organisations - and to spend each dollar wisely”.

“Funds raised from Amy’s Ride SA in 2012, will enable the AGF to develop and introduce a bike safety awareness resource-kit directly into communities via an online portal, based on our successful "a metre matters" campaign. Working in conjunction with Bicycle SA and local authorities, we will endeavour to identify known cycling problem spots and work with those councils to introduce the cycle safety resource kit”, said Gaudry.

The event has grown since its inception in 2008. In 2012 an anticipated 3,000 riders will participate. With five ride options: 18km, 25km, 30km, 65km, 100km and 120km, the ride is suited to all cycling abilities from beginner to advanced riders.

As proud event sponsor, the Australian Bananas Industry will distribute thousands of home-grown bananas at rest stops and after the ride to give cyclists a much needed muscle fuel top-up.

The event finishes at the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre, and riders can expect a family-friendly atmosphere where riders can relax, have a bite to eat, taste some local wines, and listen to live music.  Kids’ entertainment including face painting will also be offered.

Riders can register from at www.bikesa.asn.au/AmysRideSA or call 08 8168 9999 for more information. 

Amy’s Ride SA Ride Details

-       Sunday 4 November

-       3,000 riders expected to participate

-       Choose your ride option: 120km/100km/65km/30km/25km/18km

-       Register at bikesa.asn.au

-       Onkaparinga residents ride the 18KM Shiraz Trail for free

-       Event participation fees support the Amy Gillett Foundation and Bicycle SA’s road safety efforts in South Australia

Riders to look out for:

-       Professional cyclists, including Paralympic Gold Medallist Kieran Modra, Olympic Gold Medallist Annette Edmondson, Silver Medallist at the 2012 UCI World Championships Rachel Neylan, dual Olympian and 2004 Tour Down Under winner Patrick Jonker

-       Mary and Denis Safe,

-       Premier Jay Weatherill

Sensational pictorial opportunities are assured such as images of little ones getting two-wheel riding tips from mum and dad, funky unicycles and recumbent cycles joining the pack, teams enjoying a terrific social day out as well as waves of cyclists riding down the temporarily closed Southern Expressway.

Contact

For media enquiries and photo opportunities, contact:
Luka Van Cauteren (m) 0407 393 235 or lukac@bikesa.asn.au

Bike SA Media Spokesperson: Christian Haag (m) 0409 950 884 or christianh@bikesa.asn.au

Amy Gillett Foundation media enquiries can be directed to: David Lee via dlee@amygillett.org.au or 0402 563 784