The Snowy Ride is a motorcycle event run annually in the Alpine Region of NSW with the aim of involving motorcycle riders from all over Australia to raise money for Childhood Cancer Research. Over 3,000 riders participated last year, so early booking of accommodation is important. It is also an opportunity for riders to enjoy a weekend away with their friends and family and to ride some of Australia’s best and most picturesque roads.
The first Snowy Ride was launched in 2001 as a request from Steven Walter, a young man who lost his fight against cancer. Steve loved motorcycle riding and asked that a charity motorcycle ride be organised to raise funds for cancer research and cancer care, “So that one day no other kid will have to go through what I’ve been through”.
The Snowy Ride web site
www.snowyride.com.au will keep riders updated with the latest news and what is happening with the ride. Registrations are now being accepted online and you will be able to order merchandise in due course.
The date for this year's Snowy Ride is Saturday 6th November 2010. A concert is usually held on the Friday night (details to be confirmed).
Accommodation links can be found on the website, along with pictures from previous years.
A general overview of the weekend is:
Riders usually start arriving in Thredbo village on the Friday and do their own thing. On the Friday a Snowy Ride registration tent is usually assembled in Cooma where late registrants can collect their park entry stickers and merchandise etc.
A concert (you need to buy tickets) is usually held in the Thredbo Alpine Hotel that night.
On the Saturday, Honda have a large number of motorbikes that you are able to test ride. Bookings required so get out of bed early and get down to the Honda tent and put your name down.
There is no real agenda on Saturday. Everyone either in groups of friends etc or by themselves spend it riding the wonderful roads that can be found in the region. Popular ones include Thredbo to Khancoban, Cooma, Charlotte's Pass, Perisher valley etc. Another good one is to Dalgety pub for lunch, where hundreds of bikes gather which makes for a pretty good atmosphere.
About 4:00 on the Saturday, there is a group gathering of riders near the entrance to the park (I'm talking about 1,500 + bikes). Everybody rides to Thredbo Village in convoy which is truly impressive. After arriving in the village, everybody meets for a speech from the Snowy Ride organisers. By buying your Snowy Ride ticket, you have a chance of winning a new Honda motorbike. In past years that has been a Goldwing worth $40,000. There is usually a raffle for another bike as well.
Usually, there is a public concert in the public areas adjacent to the Thredbo Alpine Hotel that night.
On the Sunday, there is no organised agenda. A lot of people start riding home, but it's another opportunity to ride the mountains again.
There is a petrol station at the bottom of the village. There is only one.
Accommodation needs to be booked early. Some choices that I am familiar with include:
Silver Brumby (basic rooms, great kitchen & dining room, with spectacular views)
The Silver Brumby Lodge
Managers: Emma and Nicholas Chavanne
1 Banjo Drive Thredbo Village
Telephone: 02 6457 6244
Facsimile: 02 6457 6280
lodge@silverbrumby.com.auwww.silverbrumby.com.auThe Denman. Not cheap, but close to the action:
The Denman Hotel
Diggings Terrace
PO Box 128
Thredbo Village, NSW 2625
Phone 6457 6222
info@thedenman.com.auOther options can be seen at this link:
http://www.snowyride.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=30An event not to be missed.
2009 Snowy Ride Pictures
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/Fasteddie57/2009SnowyRide?authkey=Gv1sRgCIqJwt-K4-eztwE#