RSL Remembrance Ride 2024

The annual RSL Remembrance Ride began in 2022 to provide an opportunity for veterans to challenge themselves in a mentally supportive environment and ride an iconic trail.  It fosters the chance to connect with other veterans and veteran communities in towns along the way and raise funds for the upkeep of War Memorials.  

In 2024, the Remembrance Ride was a six-day circuit around the Lachlan Valley Cycle Trail on gravel or back roads. The riders attended the Remembrance Day service at Grenfell and spent time with community members at Eugowra on the second anniversary of the town being devastated by floods in 2022. The group was also invited to the Parkes tourist centre and given free tickets to the Elvis and Motor museums. Local cafes along the way provided much-needed sustenance and caffeine, and on several occasions, local farmers helped out, offering shade for riders and support. Thank you to all who participated in and supported the 2024 Remembrance Ride. Details of the 2025 ride will be announced early 2025.

2024 Ride

Total Ride: 433 km
Participants: 16 Riders - 14 Male, 2 Female
Bikes Used: Gravel x 12/ Hard Tail MTB x 1/ Road x 1/ Ebike x 2
Support crew: 3 veterans - 3 vehicles

Route

Sat 9 Nov - Assemble in Cowra

Sun 10 Nov - Cowra via Koorawatha and Greenthorpe to Grenfell - 84km

Mon 11 Nov - Remembrance Day service Grenfell - O/C Grenfell to Gooloogong - 56km

Tue 12 Nov - Gooloogong to Forbes (via Eugowra) 101km

Wed 13 Nov - Forbes to Parkes - 46km

Thu 14 Nov - Parkes to Canowindra via Eugowra and Nangar National Park - 102km

Fri 15 Nov - Canowindra to Cowra - 44km

A Typical Day

The daily routine aimed to arrive at the next destination at 1500hr. Mornings included packing up the campsite, breakfast and bike preparation before beginning the ride. Each day included stops for morning tea, lunch and points of interest. Upon arrival at the destination, the campsite was set up, and any bike repairs were made before heading to the local RSL for dinner and a cold beverage as we chatted about the day and shared stories.

Past Rides

2022 - Mawson Trail (930km) from Blinman to Adelaide.

2023 - Central West Cycle (CWC) Trail in NSW (430km)

2023 - High Monaro, NSW (8-12 November)

Feedback

“The RSL Remembrance Ride has been an outstanding opportunity to cycle with fellow veterans from all services. There was a camaraderie forged as we rode through an amazing variety of tracks and landscapes that left an indelible impression on the riders. An unexpected bonus has been an opportunity to learn the history of different towns from the locals. This ride has been the experience of a lifetime.”
- Former Navy CPO Dave CUNNINGHAM