23rd October, 2003

DAVID FREEMAN writes about his involvement with the Bible Society's annual event, Bike for Bibles...

It’s not the Tour de France or even the Victorian Suntour but it is a challenging ride. I’m talking about the annual Bike for Bibles marathon ride conducted in each state as a fundraiser for the Bible Society.

I took part in the Victorian ride this year and, with the support of the Ocean Grove Baptist Church and other friends, raised $1250 for the Bible Society’s current project: the provision of Bible booklets in the languages of north-west India.

BIKING FOR BIBLES: David Freeman (fifth from right) and fellow riders

Our ride this year took five days, from September 21-26. It commenced in Geelong and we stayed overnight at Mortlake, Casterton, Horsham and Beaufort.

The first two days we were riding into a strong head or side wind. Our speed on the flat dropped to as low as 11kp/h. We did not reach our destinations until just on dark.

On the second day our progress was so slow that we had to be ferried by car for the last leg, from Coleraine to Casterton. The fourth day was our longest ride with 168 kilometres and a big hill to climb coming into Halls Gap. The last two days we rode our final legs in heavy rain.

The Bike for Bibles rides were started in 1984 by a Bob Forrest with a ride from Sydney to Melbourne. Bob had been inspired by a girl, Mary Hughes, who had walked from Sydney to Melbourne to raise funds for the society. She, in turn, had been inspired by a Welsh girl, Mary Jones, who made a similar trip in 1800 because of a deep desire to own a Bible.

Since that time, the rides program has developed across Australia and around the world with local and marathon rides of all descriptions now taking place. There was a big ride on at the same time as ours with a party riding from Perth to Hobart.

Each ride requires a lot of organisation. Supporting the riders are the ìroadiesî. We have a lead car and a tail car which protect and support the riders and a ìgopherî car which clears up behind us then goes on ahead to prepare the way. Then there are local groups who provide morning and afternoon teas and lunches and, most importantly, overnight accommodation.

Itís a great cause. We have a lot of fun and it gives me a good reason for getting fit, even if it's only for a few weeks of the year.

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