Pattaya Adventure Cycling Expats (PACE) team -
organisers of the Mubadala Petroleum Pattaya Family Bike Day 2014 - from
left to right: Lisa Howell, Romayne McAlister, Karen Brent and Kelly
Mitchell.
Romayne McAlister
“From little things, big things grow” is a very apt description of
Mubadala Petroleum Pattaya Family Bike Day’s humble beginnings. What started
out as a chat over coffee between friends has grown into a community Family
Day where outdoor adventure, fitness, friends, fun and food all come
together.
Four Australian friends, Lisa Howell, Kelly Mitchell, Karen Brent and
Romayne McAlister, came up with the idea of organising a day where adults
and children of all ages could join in an event that would raise money for
charity. As mountain biking enthusiasts with a love of exploring the Thai
countryside, we wanted to share our experiences with others and show what a
great place Pattaya is to live in. In addition, promoting fitness for all
and enjoying the great outdoors were part of our goals. Friends from the
charity organisation Women With a Mission were also at our initial coffee
get together and helped develop our ideas.
Romayne McAlister (right) and Lisa Howell (left)
recently out at Thai Polo Club scoping the amazing trails for the Mubadala
Petroleum Pattaya Family Bike Day - Sunday 9th March 2014.
Our favorite place to explore is through the stunning countryside around
Thai Polo Club so it became obvious that we should approach them to ask if
we could use one of their pavilions and grounds to host our event. We were
very lucky that Thai Polo Club could see the potential of our vision and
were also keen to hold a Family Day raising money for charity. They have
been extremely generous in helping plan what promises to be a fantastic day
out for the whole family.
Fast track to a few months later and we are close to kicking off our
Inaugural Mubadala Petroleum Pattaya Family Bike Day 2014. All funds raised
are going to be donated to two worthy charities, Make A Wish Foundation
Thailand and Women With a Mission.
Our event consists of three separate rides to suit all types of biking
adventurers or you can just come and join us as a non-riding participant.
There will be an easy ride of approximately 2.0kms long that caters for
children 4 years old and above. They can ride anything from a scooter,
balance bike, bike with training wheels or on their own.
A second bike ride of 10kms long would suit children approximately 10 years
and older to adults on mountain bikes. We’ve set this up along tracks
through fields and coconut groves so that it will give the rider a great
sense of adventure and achievement by undertaking it.
Our third bike ride of 30kms is to challenge the skill levels of those
mountain bike enthusiasts all kitted out in their Lycra! We’ve set a trail
leading you through stunning scenery whilst taking on steep hills and
descents, rocky sections, water and the infamous Pattaya sand!
Support from local community businesses has been exciting to receive and has
helped grow our event, especially with Mubadala Petroleum becoming our
Naming Sponsor. Amari Orchid Pattaya have signed on as Gold Sponsors and are
catering a wonderful lunch after the rides at one of Thai Polo Club’s
picturesque pavilions. This is included in your ticket price and we hope you
will stay to enjoy this and the rest of the afternoon with us. Other
wonderful food and beverage vendors will be there to add to the choices
available for purchase. We also have a wide range of children’s activities
for families to enjoy with much of the joining fees being donated to the
charities. Expect to see pony rides, a bouncy castle, face painting, games,
Auskick handball competition and more for the children to do.
Our event web-site gives a lot of information about the day and our chosen
charities, Make A Wish Foundation Thailand and Women With a Mission. You can
register and pay online or even hire mountain bikes for the day if you want
to join us but don’t have your own bike. Visit www.pattaya
familybikeday.org, register and save the date of Sunday 9th March 2014 to
join us. Make sure to invite your friends too!
