Le Tour Handcycle 2008
Le Tour Handcycle 2008
Four handcyclists and five support crew took part in Le Tour Handcycle 2008 from Wednesday 22nd October to Friday 24th October. Running from Wangaratta to Melbourne, with stop offs in Shepparton and Bendigo along the way, Le Tour was run slightly different this year as to it had been run in the past. Whilst this was previously a government initiative through VIC Health's ‘Go For Your Life' program, that funding had been completed and Wheelchair Sports Victoria decided to sustain the event. However, the Traffic Accident Commission was kind enough to provide funding for the third straight year, which was greatly appreciated for all involved.
On the first morning, the handcyclists spoke to around 70 kids at Cathedral College Wangaratta. The local paper in the region was also on hand to interview the riders and take a photo of the guys ready to ride out of the town. St Mels Primary School in Shepparton put on a great show for the crew on the second day, with over 200 kids listening to the handcyclists' stories and firing back at them with questions. WIN news and the local paper also interviewed the riders and the story was broadcasted across regional Victoria that evening. On the final day, before the riders made the arduous journey from Bendigo to Melbourne, they stopped into to conduct a talk at Spring Gully Primary School. Over 50 kids heard the rider's story, and also got the chance to push around in their handcycles which all enjoyed. When arriving in Melbourne, the riders were greeted with kids out the front of Fitzroy Primary School before heading inside for some light snacks and beverages.
Overall the guys travelled approximately 300km in three days, which was a tremendous effort. Wheelchair Sports Victoria would like to thank TAC for their involvement again this year, Gary and Marilyn Carman for giving up their time for a third straight year to assist in the support staff, and also congratulate Gary Connor, Roman Losionek, Michael Taylor, and Glenn Wood for their outstanding efforts on the handcycle.
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