Newsletter No 68 - February 2024

Posted 28 February 2024

Newsletter No 68 - February 2024

M2M – Saturday 6 April & Sunday 7 April (End Daylight Savings)

In this edition:

  • Registrations OPEN
  • Team Registrations Close:  Tuesday 26 March 2024
    • Accommodation in Hamilton Compulsory Stop Changes.
    • Start locations reduced to two for 2024 - Mildura & Echuca.
    • On- Route Catering.
  • Nominating someone SPECIAL for the Graham Woodrup Memorial Award.
  • Animal Repeller: Keeping the roads safe for cyclists!
  • Joy ride M2M Video updated.
  • Winners - Bars & Gels - Specials - Team Prize Sponsor.
  • 20 year M2M Team Milestone:  Congratulations HypoActive - Team 256A
  • Dates for the 2024 Event.

Team Managers:  Important Information:

Registrations are Open, Team Managers will need to Register the Team and then yourself as Team Manager.  You will also create a Team Registration Password that you send around to your other team members, so they can Register and Join your Team.  As Team Manager - You will also receive a Team Manager Password (So you can login in and check to see how the other members of the team are registering).

This year The Team Manager will also be asked Where you are going to stay in Hamilton ie Will you be “Finding your own Accommodation” or Staying at the “HILAC” option, or wishing to camp in the “Hamilton Showgrounds”.  This question is to ensure we understand the demands on the accommodation options in 2024.  

Check out the February Newsletter Re: the HILAC Accommodation Option for 2024.

On Route Catering - 2024
The Committee is busy working on how to enhance the M2M experience with this years ride.  An important aspect of this is the provision of on-route catering.

Mildura Route:  There will be a short compulsory STOP at the Warracknabeal Roadhouse for about 20 minutes in the early evening (248 Kms from the start).  Food - drinks and toilets are available.

Echuca Route:  Rapid Relief Team will provide Breakfast at the Start point at the Echuca Discovery Centre.  There will be a short compulsory STOP at Stawell for about 20 minutes in the early evening - We are looking at providing some BBQ Food at Stawell, but nothing is confirmed at this stage.

Hamilton Start - Sunday 7 April: Lions Club of Hamilton will provide a BBQ Breakfast and Java Jive will provide Barista Coffee etc at the Hamilton Showgrounds from 5:30 am to 7:00 am.

Macarthur Route to Port Fairy:  Macarthur Lions will provide hot pancakes, egg 7 Bacon Rolls + Tea, coffee to sustain riders for the last 50 Kms into Port Fairy.

Penhurst Route to Port Fairy:  Hawkesdale Critical Emergency Response Team provide home cooked Cakes, slices plus Tea & Coffee.

M2M Joy Ride Video - Updated (Link)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mJ0CPtpZrQ

If your Team or a Team Member is approaching a significant Milestone this year - please e-mail us the details and we will incorporate it into the next Newsletter.

What is the 'Grahram Woodrup Medal'?  

It is an award presented at the finish in Port Fairy, which recognizes a person involved with the Murray to Moyne who has made a major contribution to their chosen Team or Health Service. This person may be a Rider, Support Crew or a major fundraiser. Any team can nominate someone they feel worthy of the Graham Woodrup Award.  Please make sure you read the Award Criteria and follow the application instructions.  Applications Close Monday 4 March 24.

Please make sure you read the Guidelines before you make your application.

Important Event Information can be found on the M2M Website:  

https://murraytomoyne.com.au/particpant_faqs.php

Sonic Animal Repeller:

As the M2M is conducted after sunset - you might like to consider fitting your vehicles with an Animal Repeller - to deter Roos and other critters from venturing onto the road after dark (especially around sunset near the Grampians and into Hamilton).  These very economic accessories are available at most auto accessories stores and may improve your riders safety.

  • Generates ultra sonic sound waves to warn animals of vehicles approach.
  • Warns off wildlife on road ahead.
  • Attaches to the front of most vehicles with the attached mounting tape.
  • Operational speed: From 50km/h+

Winners Instant Energy Gels for Cyclists - 45% off - Buy online:

  • Giant Gel Sale: 48 Energy Gels for $54.

With summer in full swing we are providing Special Offers on our 55g Energy Gels and Chews range – including 48 Energy Gels for $54  – for a strictly limited time. All flavours are in stock so make sure you head to winnersbars.com for all your upcoming exercise needs!

Offers are available for a strictly limited time and while stocks last.

  • New - Special Offer: 48 Winners Energy Bars 64g. for $84 - 45% discount.

Inspired by Australian champion Cadel Evans and his singular pursuit to beat the World’s best, we set ourselves the challenge to produce the best tasting energy bar on the planet. The new Winners Energy Bars 64g – combine slow release carbohydrates from natural ingredients (incl. 100% Australian wholegrain oats) with indulgent salted caramel or peanut butter and a delicious chocolate drizzle.

Our team of performance nutrition experts spent countless hours in the kitchen combining natural ingredients …and countless hours on their bikes road testing the new recipes.

Great tasting. Sustained Nutrition. Australian Made. World Class.
Winners Sports Nutrition. Est. Melbourne, 2005.

Add another 10% Discount Code for all the M2M riders from the Winners website: https://winnersbars.com.au  Coupon Code: M2M2024.
Winners is the Proud Sponsors of the M2M Team Prize.

Team Milestone: HypoActive - Team 256A - 20 years in the M2M !

Rather than dealing with flat tyres, and tired legs, our team was also dealing with diabetic attacks. First Team Captain Monique Handley said that the hardest thing for us, and our biggest challenge, is coping when you are doing so much exercise for an extended period of time. Getting into Hamilton at 4:00am and we had only 2 hours sleep, that’s something we would not normally do. To do that and to manage our diabetes was really tough. All the team members underwent hourly finger prick blood glucose tests and constant monitoring of insulin levels. But we amazingly did it and it was a great feeling to arrive in Port Fairy. The thing with our team is that we are not from one geographic area, we come from all over Melbourne and the only thing we have in common is diabetics.

Team member Sean Walsh 37, who was diagnosed with diabetics at 25, said he hoped the ride would show children with diabetics they could still do anything.

Dates for the 37th M2M.

Please note that the M2M will take place after Easter and in the middle weekend of the Victorian School Holidays.

Easter – Good Friday – 29 March (Start of Vic School Holidays)

Easter – Easter Saturday – 30 March

Easter – Easter Sunday – 31 March

Easter – Easter Monday – 1 April

M2M – Saturday 6 April

M2M – Sunday 7 April (End Daylight Savings)

Sunday 14 April (End of Vic School Holidays)

We wish thank all of our 2024 event sponsors for their support and generosity.

Sponsors: Lane Transport, Westvic Staffing Solutions, KFC - Bird Group, Big 4 Port Fairy Caravan Park, Rebecca's Cafe & Ice Creamery, Port Fairy Electrics, Langley's Accommodation, Hearn's Port Fairy Accommodation.

Inkind Sponsors:  Sunbeam Foods, Winners Sports Nutrition Bars & Gels  - Team Prize Pack, Warrnambool Toyota, Norton Motor Group, Callaghan Motors, Warrnambool Auto Group, McLaren - Hunt Financial Group. Taits Legal, G & M Auto Electrics, Allens Freight, Kyabram Removals,  Donehue’s Leisure - Hamilton, Warrnambool Sheet Metal. Steve Gray - Sign Writing.

M2M Supporters: Rapid Relief Team, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, W Moyne Shire, Moyne Health Service, Stawell Primary Schools, TechInsight Web Services, Hamilton SES, Java Jive Coffee - Hamilton, Great Coffee Moments - Port Fairy, Port Fairy Folk Festival.