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The Great Australian Ride
History of The Great Australian Ride
How it all started.
On the 1st October 2011 Stuart Ball founder of The Great Australian Ride rode his KTM990 Adventure motorcycle solo 6000km across Australia. This was a daring and difficult ride with many challenges and hardships along the way. Raising $5200.00 for The Children's Health Foundation to help work wonders for sick kids. Starting in Byron Bay, eastern most point of Australia and riding unassisted through The Simpson and Gibson Deserts with only a map, no GPS, no sponsor or support to reach his end goal, Steep Point in WA, the western most point of Australia.
A few words from Stuart - The Great Australian Ride is born.
Stuart started The Great Australian Ride as a way of giving back, his daughter was born 2 months premature and she was in hospital for 4 weeks. "I am eternally grateful for the care and attention our daughter and family received. And I am very happy to say that our daughter is a strong and healthy 15 year old now and far cleverer than me! It has been truly wonderful to share all the amazing experiences with her. The ride has certainly given me hope and direction while connecting with fantastic people across this great land. I find that for some of us, when a huge reality gap opens, it helps us to clarify our purpose in life: we get in touch with 'the big picture', we reflect on what life is all about, we connect with our true core values, and grow and develop. We may even discover a greater cause or create a mission, which ignites our passion and gives us a sense of vitality. I have found it is far better give than to receive".
After Stuart's solo ride he decided to let the dust settle to think about the next logical step. And so, with much thought and with a belief of the power of duplication, he then set about inviting 12 riders (Team GAR) to take part in the 2012 ride. With a clear vision for the future he set out to raise more funds for worthy charities, wanting to share the experiences with other adventure riders.
Special thanks to all my family and friends who have supported me in turning this dream into reality, thank you.
Sean & Alison Keogh, Jeff Barnes-Safety and Communication officer, Samford Chiropratic Centre, Doyels Home Hardware, AVR Automotive, Race Motorcycles - Alice Springs, Rodger's Removal services, Promotion Products & Randall Smith, Foundation Dental, KTM Australia and Winaroo KTM Perth.
Happy Travels Stuart Ball.
Stuart has travelled extensively throughout the world. "I believe Australia is a very special destination, offering a diversity that is quite unlike anywhere else on the planet. Our landscape, wildlife and people are unique. I have always received a warm and friendly welcome wherever I have travelled in Australia. There is a real sense of spirit in this great southern land and I can think of nothing better than to share it with other likeminded riders. The Great Australian Ride will provide the riders with thousands of memories and give them the opportunity to fund raise and support a truly worthwhile cause. It's a huge sense of achievement to reach Steep Point in Western Australia and one they will never forget.”
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