An ambitious and enthusiastic group of riders is preparing to tackle what is predicted to be the most challenging ride yet in the annual Tasmania Police Charity Trust Bike Ride.

The ride was started in 2007 to raise funds for a local charity. Starting in Burnie and finishing in Hobart, the 29 participants raised $25,000.

“Six years on and a more than a couple of thousand kilometres later, we have raised and donated over $160,000 to different Tasmanian charities,” said the founder of the ride Constable Richard Douglas.

“This year we are aiming to raise $40,000, with the funds going to Down Syndrome Tasmania and the Heart Foundation, two groups that work tirelessly for the Tasmanian community.”

Sixty-one riders and 11 support crew will line up for the three-day ride, which will start from Spreyton tomorrow (Friday, 23 November 2012) and head to Hobart via the East Coast, finishing on Sunday and covering 420 kilometres.

Of this year’s group, six riders have participated in every ride since it started.

Day one will take riders through Railton, Kimberley, Deloraine, Osmaston, and Bracknell finishing at Poatina.

“For the first time riders have an option at the end of day one.  They can choose to call it a day at Poatina village or add an additional 28-kilometre intense and challenging ride straight up Poatina Hill and back down again. This is one of the toughest challenges we’ve come across since the ride started and will put riders to the test,” said Constable Douglas.

Day two is the longest day of the event covering 178 kilometres and will see riders making their way to Campbell Town and then onto the Lake Leake Highway, heading to Swansea and finishing the day at Triabunna.

On the final day participants will make their way through Orford, along Colebrook Road into Richmond and Cambridge and finishing at the Police Academy in Rokeby at lunchtime.

The ride is structured around avoiding the highways and finding towns that can accommodate the large group.

“While the majority of riders are police officers who take time off to participate in this event, the group also includes friends of officers and riders from the charities we support.

“All have been busy conducting their own fundraising during the year for this worthy cause and we welcome more donations from the community during the ride,” said Constable Douglas.

For further information, visit the Tasmania Police Charity Trust – Tasmania Police