The Hartley – Sunday 21st March 2010

Once you have registered and paid to participate in The Hartley, you need to collect the following the day before the ride (Saturday 20 March between 9am and 12pm) from Stromlo Forest Park.

1. Compulsory number

2. Compulsory proof of insurance (if already registered)—or else sign up on the spot for one-day insurance

3. Course route and instructions

You must also sign a Declaration Form on Saturday 20 March.

Registration Form

The Hartley Road Maps:
150km
100km
50km

Hartley Lifecare Ability Cycle Challenge 2009

The 10th Anniversary of the Hartley Lifecare Ability Cycle Challenge started on Friday the 27th and finished on the 30th of November. Stage one leaving on Friday, started with thunder, lightening and torrential rain ensuring little sleep was had by riders, support crews and volunteers.  Conditions improved greatly by the time the last of the 120 riders left Canberra, only to be greeted by very strong headwinds that challenged even the most experienced riders and stronger Teams.

Stage two and the second group of Teams and 120 riders left Canberra on Saturday, fared a little better with their ride to Jindabyne.  Their Challenge was the mountain on Sunday where they rode into sleet and freezing rain the closer they neared the top. As the weather conditions quickly grew worse the higher the riders climbed, organisers stopped this climb for safety reasons as rider safety is paramount.

The 10th Anniversary was a great success with all riders returning home safely, all with aching and weary bodies, but happy to know they completed their Challenge while also supporting people living with a disability in the ACT. As with every year, Hartley Lifecare has seen a growth in the numbers riding and the amount of funds being raised, and given the economic climate of 2009 which Teams faced during their year long fundraising activities.  Teams again exceeded all of Hartley Lifecares expectation by raising over $373k a big improvement from the $300k raised in 2008.

To support our event a small army of volunteers perform essential roles to ensure the safety and well being of the riders.  These roles were two support drivers for each of the 20 Teams of 12 riders, chow crews who feed the riders on the road, marshals, ride co-ordintaors, lead and follow drivers to keep the riders safe and a photographer and ambulance crews.  A huge Thank You to all of our volunteers in the Teams and on the event, without you the Challenge would have been able to be run.

All monies raised from the Challenge are used to provide respite care beds, (a single bed costs $110k per year to fund) and essential community services to people living with a disability in the ACT.

To find see pictures of this years, and past Challenges taken by John Lafferty, please visit www.lafferty.com.au

Ability Cycle Challenge 2008

The ninth Ability Cycle Challenge was a resounding success, with 300 cyclists pedalling 450 kilometres to raise more than $300K for Hartley Lifecare. This is our largest fundraising activity and the money raised is used to provide accommodation, respite and community services to people with disabilities.

Australia’s fastest downhill skier and Para Olympian Michael Milton joined the cyclists as part of the team for the Department of Health and Ageing. And in 2008 year six people with disabilities rode, either on tandem bikes or on their own. For the first time, the event ran over four consecutive days with cyclists departing in two stages.

This year’s event was truly a ‘challenge’ in every sense of the word for most cyclists. Day one threatened thunder, lightening and torrential rain, but thankfully before the first team departed from Boomanulla Oval the weather changed and the sun shone down on the cyclists and volunteers. On the road to Mount Kosciusko, however, some riders faced hail and other uncomfortable weather conditions and at one stage teams sought the safety of their Support Vehicles because of poor visibility caused by fog.

It’s not just the cyclists that bring this important event to life. It’s the large number of volunteers, support crews, ride coordinators and many others who put in thousands of hours behind the scenes. Everyone who participates in the Cycle Challenge is inspirational and Hartley Lifecare thanks them for their dedication and hard work.

The 10th anniversary of the Hartley Lifecare Ability Cycle Challenge promises to be the best ever, with all the 2008 teams already committed to participate again.

Other fundraising events

Fundraising for Hartley Lifecare is not just about big corporations and big events. Many small and medium business and individual supporters work continually to ensure a steady stream of funds comes our way. Hartley Lifecare appreciates this generosity.