Le Tour de Taree
More than 17,000 kilometres away (and on the other side of the world) from Le Tour de France is an annual charity event ran parallel to the famous cycling race — same dates, same distance cycled. However, this version is raced on stationary spin bikes in a room at Club Taree on the Mid North Coast.
First started in 2015, Le Tour de Taree raises funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charity (RMHC) in Northern NSW — a charity close to the heart of the community, with 12 families from the Manning Valley using the RMHC facilities and services every single week.
“We’ve raised around $61,000 this year, which takes us in the nine years it's been running to just on $370,000,” Club Taree CEO Paul Allen said of the 2023 event, adding that this year was their second biggest year, with last year hitting $73,000.
It's our favourite time of the year as a team and as a club.
Starting off as an idea in a creative meeting, and with just three spin bikes (now there is up to seven operating), Le Tour de Taree sees the Club’s staff take turns peddling chunks of the total distance — which each year varies from 3200 to 3700 kilometres — whilst raising money for their efforts.
“It's our favourite time of the year as a team and as a club,” Paul said.
“There's always a lot of positive rivalry between who will ride the most kilometres, which we do some prizes for, and we have a team spirit award called ‘the Esprit D'equipe Cup’ which goes to the person who has the best team spirit, who has raised the most money or volunteered the longest.”
Members and guests also enjoy the event, with many popping down to the Club to watch the team in action and show their support by donating to the cause.
As for whether the team will ever make a trip to see the real deal, Paul says it has been suggested as a potential prize for the 10th anniversary of the event next year.
“In 2024 we are hoping to raise $100,000 which will hopefully take us over $500,000 raised in 10 years,” Paul said.
Related
