Paralympian leads cyclists from Perth to Broome
Two-time Paralympian Mark LeFlohic and a team of cyclists arrived in Karratha last Thursday battling more than just the heat and vast distances of the Pilbara coast.
Many of the riders have overcome challenges, such as blindness and spinal injuries, to participate in the Great Bike Hike, a 2,453 kilometre cycling journey from Perth to Broome.
The Great Bike Hike is raising money for people with disability and mental illness as well as for the families and carers who support them.
Karratha community members turned out to welcome the riders to Bulgarra Oval where local Australian Rules, baseball, basketball, boxing and tee ball teams held open days and clinics for members of the public.
Denver D’Cruz, Sport and Community Development Manager with Inclusion WA, says the Great Bike Hike riders are an inspiration for people from all walks of life to get involved in sport.
“Community events [such as Thursday’s] are an opportunity for everyone regardless of their ability or background to get involved with local sporting clubs and, in doing so, to get involved with the local community,” he said.
The Great Bike Hike riders also took part in a cycling breakfast event on Friday and visited Peg Creek Primary School and St Luke’s College.
After setting out from Perth on August 19, the riders have been calling in to communities along the way, participating in programmes ranging from wheelchair basketball to cycle rides with school children.
They continue to Roebourne on Saturday, September 8 where they will meet with youth at the recreation centre and hold workshops at Port Hedland on Sunday September 9.
The Great Bike Hike has already raised more than $50,000. Interested donors can find information on the Great Bike Hike’s website.
Tags: broome, cycling, great bike hike, hedland, Karratha, mark leflohic, paralympian, sport
