MORE than 650 riders were cheered on by the Rosewood Lions who supported the Lions Club of Mt Crosby and Moggill with their annual project, the Ipswich 100 bike ride.
The event is run in collaboration with the Ipswich Hospital Foundation.
Rosewood Club members staffed the check points at Walloon, Rosewood and Amberley.
Rosewood Lions President Ken Kuen said the members willingly donate their time each year and Johnson Park in Rosewood was chosen as a check point because it has easier parking for riders and access to toilets.
“This bike ride regularly raises over $70,000 each year, and as we all know every dollar raised by the Lions clubs goes back to charity,” he said.
“Thank you to all those members who rose early to help on this worthwhile project and to the Lions of Moggill Mt Crosby for giving us this opportunity to assist once again.”
Barry Hart from the Moggill Mt Crosby Lions, along with Christine Forrest from the Rosewood Lions, reminisced back to 2002 when the 100-kilometre bike ride first travelled through Rosewood.
Christine said that the riders rode from Walloon through to Thagoona then alongside the train tracks to Rosewood, before crossing the train tracks and passing the Rosewood Community Centre.
“In 2003, the trail changed to travel from Walloon to Rosewood via Karrabin Road, turning left into John Street at the roundabout and passing Johnston Park, the newly located Lions Refreshment stop,” she said.
“No ride has ever been cancelled, not even in 2020 when it ran just before lock down and Lion Barry and Lion Ian Luetchford, have volunteered for every ride for over two decades.
“Barry informed me that the ride with the largest number of competitors was 2011, with a total of 1,153 registered, this year 658 were registered as of the morning before the race.
“Barry also has a folder containing ride event sheets dating back to 2002, which he brings out with him every year.
“Now that is dedication, he is a wonderful man to talk with and a proud Lion.”
