Ride Across Australia A Family Affair - Family of Four Set to Travel from Perth to Hobart

On September the 8th this year, a team of up to 35 cyclists will be setting off to cycle 4200 km from Perth, Western Australia to Hobart, Tasmania. They will saddle up to raise money for literacy projects in India. The team will average around 160 km a day on their bikes. On some days the team will ride almost 200 km. Ross (49), Heather (48), Alasdair (19) and Catriona Adams (13) of Westfield, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, will be part of that team. Ross and Alasdair will cycle the distance with Heather and Catriona travelling as part of the support crew.

They will be travelling under the banner of Bike for Bibles, a fund raising initiative of The Bible Society in Australia. The ride is expected to raise over $200 000 to distribute Bible Society literacy materials, helping people to learn to read and write using the scriptures as their text book. Each participant is committed to not only ride and pay their own on road costs but to fund raise from friends and family as well.

Ross Adams believes that the event will be a wonderful experience for his family. Weve been involved in a number of similar events in the past, including a ride to Adelaide, but this is the first time that Alasdair and Catriona will be old enough to fully participate. Working together for a common purpose on something as big as this will be a real unifying experience. Not many families get such a wonderful opportunity. Its great to be able to help people on the other side of the world to break free from poverty. Heather and I feel its very important that our children know the value of supporting people who dont have all the advantages that we do."

Ride Coordinator, Rodney Olsen, says the Perth to Hobart ride is sure to be something that participants will never regret. These rides are absolutely life changing. Im looking forward to seeing what will happen in the lives of the participants through this event. Even though the Adams family will need to make great financial sacrifices to be involved, I know that they will be so much richer emotionally and spiritually for the experience."

Bike for Bibles was started in 1984 when 3 men rode from Sydney to Melbourne, raising $2000. Since then, it has expanded into several other countries and has raised in excess of 8 million dollars, mostly for overseas literacy development.

Interviews and photos of the Adams family available.