“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.
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.
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.pattayafamilybikeday.org, register and save the date of Sunday 9th March 2014 to join us. Make sure to invite your friends too!
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.
