Summary: Recently retired Greens Senator Janet Rice has set off on an 850km bike ride from Canberra to Melbourne, raising funds for human rights causes in Palestine, Tibet, and West Papua. The journey, starting on May 14, will conclude in Melbourne on May 30, with supporters encouraged to join her along the way.
Former Senator Janet Rice Begins Epic Fundraising Ride
anet Rice, the recently retired Greens Senator, embarked on an ambitious 850km bike ride from Canberra to Melbourne today. The journey, aimed at raising funds for human rights in Palestine, Tibet, and West Papua, marks a decade since her initial Ride to Canberra when she first took office.
A Ride with Purpose
Rice’s journey will take her through the Monaro Tablelands, Cooma, Bombala, and Gippsland, before arriving in Melbourne on May 30. The ride is a symbolic closure to her parliamentary career and a testament to her commitment to advocacy and cycling.
“I’m riding home to decompress from a decade in parliament and to mark the transition to post-senatorial life,” said Rice. “I intend to keep being an advocate and campaigner for a range of causes, and this ride is a part of that commitment.”
Fundraising for Human Rights
https://yarloong.com/tag/australiaFunds raised from the ride will be split equally among the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network, the Australian Tibet Council, and the Australia-West Papua Association. These organizations work towards supporting the occupied and oppressed states of Palestine, Tibet, and West Papua, respectively.
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Community Support and Participation
Supporters are invited to join Rice for segments of the ride or to cheer her on at various points along the route. The first day saw a group of ten cyclists accompany her from Parliament House to Michelago, with Greens colleagues and community members, including the Tibetan community, sending her off.
For those wishing to join, Rice emphasizes the need for self-sufficiency in bike maintenance, food, and accommodation, as this is not a supported ride. Trek Australia has offered emergency bike maintenance support and bikes for those who need them.
Route and Logistics
Rice‘s ride involves daily segments of 60-80km, with significant climbs in the first week through the Snowy Mountains and the Monaro Tablelands, followed by a downhill stretch towards Melbourne. Accommodation will be arranged in towns along the way, with Rice open to offers for places to stay.
Raising Awareness
Beyond fundraising, Rice aims to raise awareness about the benefits of cycling. “Riding my bike over the last decade has been vital for my mental and physical well-being during the pressure cooker life of being a member of parliament,” she shared on her Facebook page.
Join the Ride or Support the Cause
Rice invites the public to join her for parts of the ride or to greet her upon her arrival in Melbourne’s Footscray on May 30. Donations to support the causes she champions can be made through the links provided by the Australian Tibet Council.
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