www.thegibbchallenge.net.au
Event Summary
The Gibb Challenge is a socially
competitive team relay event
raising community awareness
and funds for charity. Whilst the
emphasis of The Gibb Challenge
is
on
participation
and
community engagement, funds
raised assist dozens of charities
around Australia.
In
a
unique
approach,
participating teams are invited
to nominate any registered
charity to benefit from their
fund-raising endeavours. In this
way, teams achieve personal and
regional relevance in their
participation. In just five years,
our event has collectively raised $1.5 million, benefiting dozens of charities around Australia.
Which Charity…?
Well, that is entirely up to you. They must be a registered charity – you can’t shake the can for
dodgy schemes that pay for your travel costs, accommodation, fuel, a fancy new bike or beers for
the trip. That’s shitty behaviour and will send you to jail.
Get an official receipt book from your nominated charity and follow their instructions for
receipting and depositing donations. Every cent of your fund-raising must go to your chosen
charity. If you choose to use the fundraising element within Register Now, it will incur a small
and very reasonable administrative fee (about a third of the other on-line charity collectors)
Your team needs to raise at least $2000 to qualify. Bugger that……….smash the fundraising and
raise as much as you can and achieve legend………wait for it……..ary. Legendary status. We’ve
had teams raise as much as $80,000 – thanks again Pedalling Porkers…….hope to see your
nomination again in 2012 guys.
www.thegibbchallenge.net.au
What sort of Fund-Raising…?
Let your imagination fly. Cable Beach Club’s Lion Racing put together “Beer Options” – an
afternoon quiz type activity with all the questions relating to the eight-ten rounds of beer served
by busty beer wenches. It’s a great concept and incredibly successful in terms of fund-raising and
event promotion…..the beer drinking was also kinda cool.
Other teams has used the time honoured sausage sizzle – it’s a no brainer and can pull the quids
in, especially out front of your local Bunnings Store.
Raffles are also a popular option; single day raffles don’t require a permit; multi-day raffles
within the workplace or a strictly defined social group can also get away without a permit; multiday raffles with significant prizes open to the public require a permit through your state’s
regulatory body. In WA it’s the Department Racing, Gaming & Liquor. www.rgl.wa.gov.au
Team Format
Participating teams can compose themselves with between two (2) and six (6) riders and up to
two (2) non-riding supporters. Your team chooses the transition points for your team and may be
dependant upon rider strength, fitness or knowledge of the terrain ahead. Let your mates cook
themselves on the killer ‘jump ups’ but position the transition so you get the sweet downhill
section! Some teams choose to send their rider out for twenty or thirty minutes at a time,
irrespective of the distance they travel. Other teams might send a rider out for a pre-determined
distance; twenty or thirty kilometres irrespective of the time it takes to complete the distance.
Your choice.
As you approach your team’s transition point, your support vehicle can overtake your rider and
leap-frog ahead to prepare the next rider; unload their bike, fill water bottles/hydration packs,
apply sunscreen, set the iPod to ‘rock n roll’ and make sure they’re wearing their helmet. As your
first rider comes within the span of your vehicle, the second rider can start. We’re not playing for
sheep stations but a relay should occur in the spirit of social competition intended.
Help your first rider load the bike, grab
a drink and shed some of the stinky
clothes before catching up and
providing rearward vehicle protection
for the new rider on the road.
The Gibb Challenge certainly offers an
opportunity to test the speed, skill and
endurance of those competitively
inclined. It also offers an equally
rewarding though less ambitious
participation goal that doesn’t preclude
the recreational cyclist. The team relay
format allows riders with even a
modest level of fitness to participate
and contribute towards their team’s
effort.
www.thegibbchallenge.net.au
Logistics
Bike – it’s all about the bike. Support your local
bike shop (LBS) and buy a shiny steed fitted and
suited to your riding style. Don’t buy a bike from
a department store – they’re toys. Refrain from
internet sales too, particularly if you’re going to
humbug the legend at your LBS to fix the bloody
bike you didn’t buy from them! Get it serviced,
learn how to clean it and bring some spare parts.
I doubt you’ll need more than a couple of spare
tubes and maybe a spare tyre. In four years I’ve
only had one puncture and haven’t needed to
change a tyre.
Vehicle – you will require a high clearance 4WD. The Gibb River Road might be a tamer beast
than once she was but you still need to respect her and come prepared. Your vehicle should be
recently serviced and you should carry some typically vulnerable spare parts like radiator hoses,
fan belts and fuses. You’ll need at least one spare tyre and check your jack and tyre-changing
equipment.
Trailer – by far and away the best method of bike and
camping carriage. There are a couple of commercial
options available but if you’re handy about the shed,
you should be able to create something with gas strut
assisted lid and a bike rack on top. Remember a spare
tyre for your trailer and check the compatibility of your
tyre-changing equipment with the vehicle you’re using.
A couple of spare parts like U bolts are worth their
weight in gold.
Camping – your choices range from a simple swag
through to a deluxe uber camper trailer. Comfort Vs
Convenience Vs Cost. At the very least make sure that you’re protected from the elements; it can
get a little chilly under the Kimberley Moon and there might even be a drop of rain to contend
with.
Esky/portable fridge – limited ice supplies on course but a good quality esky will hold it’s own
against the whiz bang in-car fridges. You might also want to keep a couple of those scientifically
formulated sports recovery drinks refreshingly cool……or just keep that cheeky six pack
frightfully cold.
Catering – relax, we provide everything; breakfast, lunch and dinner. The only thing you need
to bring is your appetite, fighting irons and something to hold the culinary delights served up by
our catering magicians. You won’t believe the taste, presentation and variety of cuisine presented
each night; prepare to be amazed. A word of warning though; we can only cater for omnivores
and vegetarians. If you have any funky or specific dietary requirements – you will need to cater to
those yourself.
www.thegibbchallenge.net.au
The Route
The Gibb River Road; 740 kilometres of rough,
unforgiving and mostly unsealed road through
an ancient and beautiful land. The Gibb was
once the preferred route for cattle drovers
moving cattle from the interior of the East
Kimberley to the deep port facility at Derby.
Now it’s more favoured by four wheel drive
enthusiasts, the last great frontier for
adventurers.
The Gibb is attracting cycling adventurers too;
whether part of an organised tour group or self
paced cycling tourists. It’s certainly possible
with some good planning, preparation and
healthy doses of enthusiasm.
The Gibb offers a true modern day challenge set
in the spectacular beauty of the Kimberley.
Traffic & Emergency Medical Response
Our event is extraordinarily fortunate to draw on the assistance of the Broome and Derby State
Emergency Service, Fire and Emergency Services (Broome) and the St. John’s Ambulance substation Broome with meal preparation, transport and ambulance response. In addition, WA
Police provide marked police escort vehicles with voluntary police staff and we are joined by
other volunteer health professionals prepared to provide supplementary medical skills should
they be required.
These
mutually
beneficial
community partnerships are well
established and will continue in
2012 and beyond, ensuring The
Gibb Challenge builds upon a
strong foundation of responsible
event
management
with
participant safety a principal
consideration.
www.thegibbchallenge.net.au