Ride to Work Day Breakfast 2009

Wednesday 14 October 2009, Toowoomba's second Ride to Work Day Community Breakfast, was certainly bigger than last year, and arguably better too.

Toowoomba BUG is fortunate to be supported by so many willing sponsors, who ensure there are prizes to reward effort, and food to eat while applauding the winners.

Last year, Pacific Seeds won the 'Workplace Challenge Wheel' but decided to give others a go in 2009.

The winners came from DEEDI DERM TEAM (the old DPI&F that people may be more familiar with). Well done DEEDI.

It is said that the DEEDI people had been seen drawing disc ploughs through their experimental fields, behind their bikes, as they trained hard to be as fit as possible, just for this event, while saving the taxpayer money on tractors and diesel. Such devotion deserves reward.

The 2009 Wheel was presented by Sergeant Col O'Shea from Toowoomba Traffic Branch. Col is well known to Toowoomba cyclists, and more than a few motorists too. Many thanks to Col, and his colleagues, for their work as police officers, making Toowoomba roads safer for all road users, particularly for Col coming in on his time off to support us all.

Congratulations also go to Glen Fox, winner of the ‘male best effort’, by riding the longest distance from Murphy’s Creek Road. Glen also won ‘best commuter story’ and was awarded the ABC Local Radio’s TREK bike prize. Well done, Glen.

Margaret Stewart, well known to TBUG riders, won the 'female best effort' with her morning jaunt in from Hermitage Road. Well done, Margaret.

The Downs Christian College won the School's Prize, donated by Bruce of Toowoomba Rabobank. Thanks to the school and students for participating and for Bruce for supplying the School Prize, as well as top-up bottles and caps for the winners of the Wheel.

ABC Local Radio set up a live broadcast at the Breakfast site, with David interviewing riders and winners. Feedback from ABC listeners not at the Breakfast, and who do not cycle, suggest that the show was well received by locals as they drove their cars to work. Thanks go to the ABC.

Michael, from Oxygen Cafe, brewed and served coffee with alacrity. Barbara, and her staff from Bakers Delight, donated and served delicious breakfast rolls, Woolworths and manager Brad donated cereals and milk, Arthur from Boost Juice donated juice and Elizabeth from Healthy Habits gave the bananas.

Queensland Government were generous with Michelle from Travel Smart donating a prize pack and Sonya from Transport paying for various items, including an impressive Ride to Work banner.

Toowoomba Regional Council gave a lot of support, including a banner, supplying the gallery site, all of the furniture on the day, advertising the event and much more, more than ably coordinated by Candice.

Bicycle Queensland generously extended their Public Liability insurance to TBUG for the event, allowing us all to meet there and enjoy the event.

Bikeline set up a stall and ran a draw for a TREK bike too. TBUG will post the winner as soon as we know who the lucky person was, but Bikeline will be contacting them with the news first.

Many TBUG riders tried out their new TBUG shirts at this event.

DEEDI and USQ riders left the TBUG Breakfast to enjoy another breakfast at USQ, and a lunchtime event at DEEDI.

Planning for 2010 starts soon.