Geelong Cats Limited Edition Signed Poster

There's no doubt that a number of sporting teams are huge supporters of community events and initiatives.  Supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia through the Long Ride 2014 are a number of high profile teams associated with the colour blue - Melbourne Victory FC being one, and now the Geelong Football club is another.

The Cats have very generously supplied a limited edition print, only 1500 are in existence, that is signed by all 46 registered players as well as the coach, Chris Scott.

Number 1198 of the 1500 prints, all of the signatures are genuine and signed with a silver pen - this is the genuine article donated for the purpose of raising funds for the PCFA by the Geelong Football Club.  The poster has been professionally frame with archive quality materials.

To raise money for the PCFA this rare piece of sporting memorabilia is up for auction with a start price of $100, it could be yours for as little as $101.  The auction is open and will remain open until 11:59pm August 15, 2014.  All you need to do is tell me your highest bid and I will manage the bidding in much the same way that eBay works - anyone in the world can bid and postage or delivery will be included in the price, essentially I will take care of the delivery costs.

To make a bid just email me at leigh.wilkins@bigpond.com with your highest bid, your full name and contact details.  Also let me know what name you would like displayed as your bidding name (only the highest current bidder will be displayed - below).  If you would like further details please let me know.

CURRENT BID: $155.00 Tasha Procko

Who Could Resist A Drop of De Bortoli?

I think it would be fair to say that most of the Long Riders enjoy a nice wine and not too many could go past a glass of one of De Bortoli's finest.

Coming along for the Long Ride 2014 is De Bortoli wines through their fantastic support in supplying wines to help raise funds for the PCFA - I must say it's very hard not to be tempted to enjoy all of the wine myself.

De Bortoli Wines is a third generation family wine company established by Vittorio and Giuseppina De Bortoli in 1928. The couple emigrated to Australia from Northern Italy, from mountain villages at the foothills of the Italian Alps, near the historic town of Asolo.

Their son, the energetic and dynamic Deen De Bortoli, (b 1936 – d 2003) expanded and consolidated the business created by his parents. Deen's children established De Bortoli's reputation for premium wine including icon dessert wine Noble One and the Yarra Valley wines.

Italian family values passed down from Vittorio remain core values, there is a culture of hard work, generosity of spirit and of sharing good food, good wine and good times with family and friends.

It's these values that has seen De Bortoli show their support for the Long Ride, the PCFA, and men's health in general.

If you love a wine and want to support a business that cares about men's health then try a De Bortoli.  The Deen De Bortoli, Vat Sauvignon Blanc is a cracker.  This is a clean and vibrant wine, with lovely melony characters on the nose and a light edge of citrus and grapefruit, and better still it is amazing value for money.

I dare say a De Bortoli or two will be enjoyed on the Long Ride, we'll even drop by the cellar door at Bilbul (Griffith).  Thank you De Bortoli for your support of men's health.

Black Swan ... Flavour Is Everything!

While eating my Jordan's granola for breakfast every morning as part of healthy routine to try and get fit and prepare for the Long Ride, one thing that is a must is a few 'blobs' of Black Swan Yoghurt on my breakfast.

I simply couldn't go without it, and have found it to be one of the better tasting as well as most healthiest yoghurts on the market.

Black Swan founder Christos Saristavros loved his food and used his family's recipes to produce dips which he sold at the South Melbourne market. At that time one flavour dominated his business - Tarama (made from fish roe). From those humble beginnings some 15 million containers have found their way into Australian homes every year making Black Swan Australia's favourite dip.

Just one way you can enjoy Black Swan yoghurt.

These days Black Swan's recipes are constantly changing reflecting the dynamic nature of the community. They still make Tarama of course but also guacamole, cheese and chives, hommus ... in fact over twenty different flavours.

Since starting as a one man business Black Swan have diversified so much that they now employee 75 people and for me, yoghurt, just one of their fine products, is the one that I will always use.

Black Swan have been extremely generous in coming forward to help raise funds for the PCFA through the Long Ride by providing a donation of considerable size.  While I am extremely grateful for the donation, I much more grateful for the healthy option that they provide with my breakfast.  Thank you!

An Adrenalin Rush Filled Raffle

One thing about motorcycle riding is the adrenalin rush you often get from it, especially when it's over many weeks on something like the Long Ride.  To share this sensation with you, my Long Ride, with the very generous help of Robert (Tav) Swinton is offering a raffle like no other.

For as little as $2 you can go into the draw to win an amazing tandem skydiving opportunity over the bayside suburb of St Kilda in Melbourne, Australia.

From 14,000ft you can see Melbourne like so few others get the opportunity.  Valued at almost $500 the prize is valid until June 30, 2015 and can be taken on any weekend until then.

As if that wasn't enough second prize is 8 laps in a high performance, world class rally car - you drive it - before handing it over for one very special lap with a professional rally driver.

Third prize is just as good.  You and a friend get to experience a 40 minute jet boat ride around Melbourne's famous Port Phillip Bay.

All you need to do is purchase a ticket for just $2 (or you can buy three for $5) to enter the draw which will take place in early September.

All proceeds from the raffle will go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia through the Long Ride - email leigh.wilkins@bigpond.com for more information or to purchase tickets.  

The Star of Alice ... Lisa Perry

There's little doubt that the motorcyclists on the Long Ride need a good feed and none will come better than that had at the Star of Alice function centre when we stay in Alice Springs.

Lisa Perry, who recently opened Star of Alice is providing the riders with a gourmet BBQ as a thank you for what the Long Ride achieves through the awareness campaign and fundraising for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Lisa opened the centre earlier this year after success with her Reality Bites catering company throughout the Alice Springs region.

Lisa was recently quoted in the Alice Springs News, “If you do things well, and you’re passionate about what you are doing, the word spreads quite quickly and people tend to support you, and there are good things happening.”  This holds true to the Long Ride and it's this belief that has seen Lisa support us and we can't wait to support her and Star of Alice.

Personally I can't wait to enjoy a good steak, a cold beer and great company at a venue like Star of Alice.  Looking forward to the night in the Alice with other riders.

Leading Specialist IT Distributor Comes Along For the Long Ride

ACA Pacific is a private held Australian leader in the distribution of specialist information technology hardware and software solutions and is now a continued supporter of my Long Ride.

With over 23 years of experience and continual growth, ACA Pacific has earned itself a reputation for having a thorough knowledge of its customers’ needs and a firm grasp of technology. Having evolved from a volume distributor of storage products to today’s successful value-added solutions provider, ACA Pacific's business approach emphasises customer service, excellence in product sales and technical knowledge and a continued commitment to the profitability of all channel partners through value-added services.

This approach to it's customer is how ACA Pacific sees it approach to supporting the Long Ride and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.  

I'm extremely proud to carry the ACA Pacific logo on my riding gear to show their support of the PCFA visit www.acapacific.com.au and see how they can help support you and your business.

TJM - Equipped For The Long Ride

So far searching for community support has been quite consuming.  In total over 240 businesses, community groups and councils have been contacted trying to generate some interest in the Long Ride as well as raising funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

While some areas have shown great support, others have gone even further.  One such area to really get behind the riders heading north through Queensland has been Mt Isa, and in particular one business - TJM.

Led by Rod Spinks, of the Spinks Group and his Mt Isa manager, Lucian Brown, TJM Mt Isa have shown some of the most generous support we have seen so far.  They have very kindly not only made a financial contribution to the PCFA but also offered to donate some 4x4 equipment to be used as fundraising.

I must admit, I'm not an off-roader, and was once 'burnt' by the 'good people' at ARB however, the support shown by Rod and Lucian has made me have a rethink, maybe a LandCruiser or something similar is just around the corner ... or will it be an adventure bike?

Anyway, if you're in the Mt Isa region drop by 17 Simpson Street and check out TJM.  I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help you out.

Community Support Growing

The Southern Riverina News
July 2, 2014

Support for the Long Riders doing the extra long way is gaining.  In the past few days there's been media interest from the Southern Riverina News, covering the Finley area of southern New South Wales.  

This has grown through interest shown by the local Lions Club as well as the local council, in fact what this region has done so far really makes this the unofficial starting point for the long Long Ride.  Initially the first stop of the day would've been Echuca, this has now been bypassed and we'll head straight to Finley to meet the local community and have lunch with them - in many ways it's our way of saying thank you for the work they have done for us.

Sophie Burge from the Southern Riverina News wrote a fantastic piece on the ride covering what we are doing, what it is all about, and when we'll be in town ... I hope the other riders don't get upset that it was all about me ...

Just one of the noticeboards in Cloncurry 
with the poster on it.

The good people of Cloncurry in Queensland have also started to show some fantastic support for the ride, through the great work being done by Thea Dasios.  Thea has gone around town putting up a number of posters advertising the ride as well as generating social media coverage through the Cloncurry Shire Council's Facebook page.

While in Cloncurry we'll hopefully be able to meet the mayor as well as the local councilors and community and generate even greater interest.

Can't wait to meet all of these people.

Bobby Womack Joins The Greats

A few days ago the music world was saddened to hear of the death of Bobby Womack, an influential R&B artist who inspired so many.

Recently 70 year old Womack had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, something that is very close to my heart too, and have even survived prostate and colon cancer however, it is still unknown what had caused his death.

Womack was prolific during the 1960's and 70's, his song It's All Over Now, became a world wide hit when The Rolling Stones recorded a version of it.  In fact it was their first number one.

A 2013 comeback album heralded a new start for Womack however, health issues were certainly taking their toll, he was forced to cancel a number of gigs and tours.

One quote about Womack said, "he's a beautiful person and when he opens his mouth and that voice comes out, it is something that is somehow touched by God.''  God has now been touched by Womack who will certainly join the great R&B band up in heaven.

Saferay Back On Board For The Long Ride

Another long time supporter to join us for the Long Ride is Saferay Pty Ltd.

Saferay is a world leader in providing optimum radiation safety standards in medical applications.  Providing a comprehensive and reliable testing service for all radiological and nuclear medicine equipment Saferay know first hand what a service the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is able to provide through awareness raising efforts of an event like the Long Ride and is proud to be a part of it.

The Long Ride is extremely proud to have the support of businesses like Saferay who certainly make the fundraising efforts worthwhile due to their very generous support.