The Ipswich City 100 Big Bike Ride for 2008 has come and gone. What a great day we all had. Thank you all for turning up and bringing your friends. No amount of advertising in the print and radio media can match the power of "spreading the word" with fellow cyclists. Each of you really are an ambassador for our event and can be credited in large part for the 75% increase in numbers this year to 692. Our greatest asset is of course the route itself which is unmatched in Southeast Queensland.

I am delighted to report that after all costs were cleared almost $38,000 on the day. This is truly a magnificent result. The dollars will be shared with all our advertised beneficiaries, particularly the Ipswich Hospital Foundation who provided tremendous support by helping us develop the website with its online facilities, and by assisting with logistics support, particularly with Ipswich City Council. Thank you Tom, Wendy, Ali, Laurelle and Ashton. I would also like to give full credit to the Ipswich SES who not only provided road marshals, but, as you would have noticed, great support in the catering department. Special thanks to Ari and Jim. Last but not least a big thank you to Keith Sinclair. Keith, a fellow cyclist not connected with the general organisation of the ride, took it upon himself to "GPS" the routes and for the second year running provided the fantastic interactive maps on our website.

Every year we fine tune our event to make it more enjoyable and safe. This year we respectfully requested a reduction in the headwind and for the provision of some fog to cool things down at the start. Unfortunately the fog was somewhat overdone and led to anxious moments with the local constabulary who actually thought there was a chance of closing down the show. Anyhow, reason prevailed and the show continued and proved a great success. We had a lot of positive feedback in regard to the venue, the band and the general organisation along the route. However this is not to say we can't do things better. I would like to take the oppurtunity while the iron is still hot of seeking your feelings about various aspects of the event. We have prepared a questionnaire which hopefully shouldn't take too long to complete. Whilst we love to receive plaudits, please dont' hold back with constructive criticism.

We have already posted the photographs taken on the day on our website. We will endeavour to keep you informed as to the date for next year's Ipswich City 100 Big Bike Ride - it is likely to be in early March as Easter will be later.

Bob McGregor
Ipswich 100 Race Convenor