Since 2004 James Hodgkinson and Ross Ellice-Flint have organised an event called the 20/Twenty Challenge that raises money for the Spastic Centre. They proposed a different event to support Giant Steps. Peter Beaumont who is a keen cyclist suggested a bike ride from sea level to the highest point in Australia. Neil Schafer, David Moffatt and Tony Abbott joined the brains trust and came up with the idea to ride from Bermagui on the South Coast to Charlotte Pass in the Snowy Mountains. In 2005 there were 17 riders who did the inaugural ride and raised $145,672 to pay for two new playgrounds for the school.

In 2006 and 2007 the Surf to Summit ride started at Tathra and went through Cooma to avoid a section of gravel road between Nimmitabel and Beloka. The ride was just over 300 km and involved over 5,000 metres of climbing.
22 riders rode the course in 2006 and 27 in 2007 raising $156,340 and $242,068 respectively. This money paid for the conversion of a disused and dilapidated workshop into a wonderful Library/Resource Centre.
In 2008 we moved the ride to the Victorian Alps. Based in Bright the course went out and back each day to Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mt Buffalo respectively. Again the total distance was just over 300 km with nearly 5,000 metres ascending.
In 2009 39 riders rode from Bright over the same course as in 2008 and raised $275,000 in spite of the Global Financial Crisis. The money raised helped Giant Steps establish a post school program for young adults with autism. It is the first of its kind in Australia.
Last year the 3 Day Bike Ride was held in South Australia. It was based in McLaren Vale and involved rides up into the Adelaide Hills, down to Port Elliot and around the Willunga Hill circuit that features in the Tour Down Under. $295,550 was raised bringing the total since inception to over $1.4 million
This year the ride will again be based in McLaren Vale and will follow a similar route.
The rise will cover 340 km climbing over 4000 metres and will include a 7.3 km time trial up Norton Summit and Willunga Hill made famous by the Tour Down Under
Sponsoring a rider…
You can support Giant Steps by sponsoring a rider through a tax deductible donation. Go to www.giantsteps.net.au/events/threedaybikeride
Nominate a rider and Hit the Donate button providing the required information. You can use PayPal or your Credit Card. All donations are tax deductible. DGR32778
No administration fee will be charged other than a small service fee for PayPal and your credit card provider.
For large donations you can avoid the service fee by making a payment by cheque or direct debit. Contact Michelle Jocum (02) 9879 4971 for details.
Cornerstone