TeamMONASH™ cycle to success

Thomas Whitty

TeamMONASH™ have displayed their dominance again; this time in the ‘Around the Bay in a Day’ cycling event.

420 cyclists, ranging from students, alumni and staff represented Monash University in the annual event, which this year attracted almost 16,000 riders, this being the fifth year that TeamMONASH™ was represented.

‘Around the Bay in a Day’ incorporated cycling events for the social rider to the professional, with the options of entering a 50k, 100k, 210k, or the full 250k distance.

David Pawley, project leader and TeamMONASH™ cyclist said the event was about bringing the Monash community together and creating a greater awareness for the Smith Family, the events major charity. “It’s about bringing the community together, meeting people from Monash that you wouldn’t normally meet and really pushing sponsorship. If every rider could get a $50 donation, we would raise $21,000, and that’s Monash alone”.

TeamMONASH™ was also awarded with another prestigious award, this time for the largest participating University. The sound of TeamMONASH™ batons clapping and the cheer, which was likened to a cricket game was heard around the gardens, testimony to the fantastic support displayed by all involved. Pawley, who received the award, said “I thank the University for their support, and for those who keep coming back each year. Let’s come back next year and see if anyone can challenge us”.

For participants Anne Reilly and Rob Shaw, finishing the race was an achievement alone. “It’s more a race for yourself. Just keeping a slow and steady pace was key. It was about finishing, that was the achievement”, Reilly said.

The story of the day was a great cycle by 73 year old Monash community member Laguna Luis, who spent eight hours and 31 minutes completing the full 250k ride, at an average speed of 29kph.

The event was a roaring success for participants, and couldn’t have been made possible without the support of volunteers who were involved in logistics and customer service roles.

The next TeamMONASH™ event will be the Portsea Swim Classic, to be held on Saturday 17 January 2009.