JESSE NEILL
TWO Gawler Apex Club members recently attended the 2019 Apex Outback Postie Bike Ride.
The event saw more than 100 riders travel 1000 kilometres over four days on a Honda CT110 Postie Bike through the Flinders Ranges.
Gawler Apex secretary Leon Budden has participated in the ride five times and said it is the toughest off-road terrain South Australia has to offer.
“It’s an extremely challenging course that ranges from sand dunes to hard rock, and all sorts of other difficult terrain throughout the journey,” he said.
“There’s also quite a few injuries over the weekend, including broken limbs… it’s exhausting work, but it’s worth it for an exceptionally good cause.”
The Postie Bike Ride raises funds for Apex Copper Coast Retreats, which supports Cancer Council South Australia in helping provide respite accommodation for families affected by cancer.
Donations from this year’s event will help to complete the construction of a fourth unit at the retreats in Wallaroo.
Gawler Apex member Mario Romano participated in his first Postie Bike Ride this year and knows the importance of the retreat services all too well.
“I recently lost a family member to cancer, so that was my motivation to join in this year,” he said.
“Everyone on the ride seemed to be touched by cancer in some way, so it was a great opportunity to be able to be part of something that can genuinely help.”
Each participant commits to raising $500 in the leadup to the ride, with some individuals raising as much as $16,000 this year.
The 2019 event was the most successful yet, raising more than $170,000.
The Apex Foundation helps improve the quality of life for Australians with special needs – particularly children – and does so through fundraising programs like the Postie Bike Ride.
Apex Gawler Club meets on the first and third Monday at 7pm in its clubrooms on Two Wells Road behind Willaston Oval, and invites anyone interested in joining to come along to its meetings.