MEDIA RELEASE 

The first C J Dennis Ride is on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The main start will be from just before the Whittlesea Showgrounds on the King Lake road between 9 am and 10 am ... but you don't have to be there. Riders can do all or part of the ride or just attend the raffle draw at the finish in Warburton. Alternative starting areas are encouraged.   

Damien Codognotto OAM has been organising road bike events since the mid 1970s.  

"A no-frills C J Dennis Ride can grow to be an important source of tourism dollars and a road safety promotion in fire effected areas.  

We started the Melbourne Toy Run in 1978 with just 35 bikes and 30 years later that's still doing a lot of good.  

The potential here is good because the motorcycle community wants to help and it's a great ride." He said. 

By 1998 the Melbourne Toy Run was a major event for the city attracting more than 15,000 machines each year.  

The City of Melbourne estimated that the riders and passengers assembled in Swanston Street in 1998 spent over $30,000 in the hour before the column moved off with their gifts for needy kids. 

The value of motorcycling tourist dollars is often underestimated. Phillip Island would not be so prosperous without the motorcycle grand prix in spring and the superbikes in autumn.  

Another tourist attraction is the Rotary Club Motorcycle Show in Alexandra on Sunday, March 21. Scroll down for details. 

The aims of the C J Dennis Ride are:

·         to promote road safety.

·         to attract tourists to fire effected areas, on the day and through repeat visits. 

·         to raise money for a Country Fire Authority station along the route.

There are no entry fees or registration. A dollar-a-ticket raffle with three prizes will be run. 100% of proceeds and donations will go direct to a local Country Fire Authority (CFA) station along the route. 

The first C J Dennis Ride starts near the Whittlesea Showgrounds from 9 to 10 am. Raffle tickets and donations will be sold at King Lake, Toolangi, Healesville and Marysville. The finish is at the Warburton Sports Ground where the raffle will be drawn between 3 and 4 pm.  

There are several alternative starts including Yarra Glen's Grand Hotel, Yea, The Flowerdale Pub, and The St Andrew's Pub but this is informal.  

"We'll see how it goes this year and tune it for next year.  People can do all or part of the ride or just turn up at the finish and buy a raffle ticket." Codognotto said. 

This is 152 kms of sensational bike roads. It's all sealed. It's for all road-registered motorcycles, scooters, sidecars and trikes. It's suitable for novices and experienced riders. A route survey with more details can be emailed on request. A leisurely ride with photo ops takes about 4 hours. Have a sit-down lunch and it's 5 hours. A great Saturday. Stay overnight and you have a very special motorcycling weekend.  

The staggered start means riders can travel as individuals or in groups. All road laws apply. Riders are each responsible for safety and courtesy to other road users. Just take it easy and enjoy the trip.  

The Albert Park car GP is on the day after the first C J Dennis ride. Riders travelling to Melbourne for the race, or from Melbourne to get away from it, should consider accommodation in the hills. See the websites listed below. If everyone on the ride spends a few bucks, the money goes directly into local communities struggling to rebuild after the horrendous bush fires of 2009. No middle men. 

And the motorcycle community owes these towns. Over decades our love of the road has been accepted, even admired, and we've been shown hospitality that is rare in too many places. If you can't make this ride, please plan a hills ride soon. 

Damien Codognotto OAM

Independent Riders' Group.

Melbourne.

Mobile 0419 846 855.