Blackchrome is very proud to announce our latest event partnership with Peloton Café Events for the 2017 Pedal Advocacy Against Poverty (PaaP) Charity Ride. The ride from Melbourne to Sydney (via Canberra and the Snowy Mountains) commences on 4th November and finishes on 11th November. Peloton Café Events organises and leads professional events for amateurs from 1 day charity rides to 7 day international charity rides to world championships training. At the helm is Jon “Scotsman” aka Flying Scotsman who we met in 2017 at another of our sponsored events- Velothon Sunshine Coast. A mutual love of all things cycling sparked some conversations and the opportunity to partner with the PaaP ride was born!
Not only will the riders be tackling the challenge in Blackchrome kit, but our National Cycling Manager Travis Eddie will be riding while our Managing Director provides support from the logistics vehicle and our Marketing Manager handles the Public Relations and Media from the support cars.
We had a chance to speak to Jon as the event draws near.
We first met you at Velothon Sunshine Coast this year, and then it was off to Europe for the UCI Gran Fondo World Finals Series. How did you go?
Thanks for asking. It was incredible. I have been privileged to qualify for all 6 of the World Amateur Finals and pulling on the Aussie skin suit for the start of the TT is a privilege. 42Kph average against the best in the world and 25th and 3rd Aussie. 360 red blooded amateurs in the road race over a 160K hilly race in a little over 4 hours at 30 degrees was tough but happy being 2nd Aussie home and proud of Aussie team mate going into the last corner in 4th place.
Since your return it’s been all about organising the Pedal advocacy against Poverty (PaaP) Charity Ride. How many years has the event been running?
I have been running Charity events for many years. It started with bikes for families in Cambodia and 5 years at the Tour of California. Peloton Charity Events PaaP is in its 3rd year and our toughest route yet!
How much money have you raised for charity over this time?
Have not added it up but would be roughly $250,000. With our key ride captains we have a plan to raise $1m over the next 5 years.
How do you choose your charity partners?
You can’t compare charities. Everyone is important. For me it is about using the bike as a metaphor and tool to challenge yourselves to raise money. The riders themselves even the ride captains and support benefit by the focus, comradeship and fitness required to lead other riders who in turn have a wonderful experience and raise more money for their charities.
The event is incredibly demanding- 1,275km and 16,200m of elevation over 8 days. Who came up with the route?
Melbourne to Sydney is c1000K and have led that before for Tony Abbott and the Pollie Pedal. However, we went on a straight line on busy roads. This year the route designed by Sean “Data” Carroll is designed to be scenic and takes in some icon Australian country, climbs and descents. It is about the challenge!
How many riders will be taking on the challenge?
We limited this challenge to 20 riders.
Are there any spots left for anyone who wants to do the ride?
We are technically full however if the charity donation is big enough, the rider strong enough and attitude positive enough our ride captains and support crew could accommodate 2 more riders.
We are very excited to be a part of the event, why did you choose Blackchrome as the official apparel supplier?
I’m happy you asked me this. When you are in the saddle for 6 hours a day you want to be in kit which feels comfortable, light and fast. It is a strange thing but you also want the kit to look great and the culture of the people who supply the kit 100% behind you. Blackchrome Cycling is 100% this organisation. Cycling like life can be tough and the mind can play with you on the ride. Every part of the support needs to be spot on. The Blackchrome Cycling Manager Travis Eddie is riding for charity, and the MD is driving the support vehicle. That is a partnership that I’m honoured to be Blackchrome’s Cycling Ambassador for.
What are the major changes from 2016 to 2017?
1. completely new route from Melbourne through snowy mountains Canberra Southern Highlands to Sydney taking in some of the most famous climbs and beautiful country in Australia
2 new charity partner in Bicycle NSW Environmental Trust. BWA Vulnerable Children’s Trust remains our foundation charity but as we are all cyclists we are supporting Bicycle NSW the peak advocacy body for all cyclists creating a better and safer environment for all bicycle riders.
3 our new kit. Blackchrome Cycling have partnered with us to supply beautiful new kit for the riders. The kit is race fit, fast and incredibly comfortable and most importantly looks good. I admit to being completely pedantic on my bicycle equipment. It needs to be light, fast, safe and look good.
For those who want to donate to the ride or riders, where can they go to pledge their support?
Go to the website click on sponsor a rider to this page choose a rider, any rider, donate and add a comment. If you choose Flying Scotsman, Travis Eddie or Ride Captains I would be delighted butit really does not matter who you choose as it all goes to the same charities.
Check out a preview of the Blackchrome event kit below and stay posted for regular updates from the road during the 8 day event on the Peloton Cafe and Blackchrome social media accounts.
