What will you need to do to go on the 2025 Variety Adventure Ride
Curious to know what it takes to be part of the Variety Adventure Ride? Below are the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.
Becoming a Rider
Rider Prerequisites
- Must be a minimum of 18 years of age and hold a current motorcycle licence (no learners permits allowed).
- Your helmet should fit well, snug but not so tight it causes discomfort when worn for longer periods. You should have a tinted and clear visor, or a flip down tinted visor for varying light conditions. An anti-fog insert or treatment is recommended. Open face helmets are not acceptable on this event.
- You must wear a Variety supplied fluoro vest at all times whilst riding on the event.
- Jacket and pants should be comfortable, weatherproof, abrasion resistant and have CE approved soft armour inserts fitted in key areas (knee, hip, elbow, shoulder and back). Multiple ventilation zips help for when conditions are warmer.
- Boots should be purpose built providing good shin and ankle protection and support.
- Gloves you should always travel with two sets of gloves. One pair for colder or wet conditions, waterproof and with a built-in squeegee on the left index finger to easily wipe your helmet visor in the rain. Another set of lighter gloves is very handy for when conditions are warmer. These should still be strong and abrasion-resistant, they just don’t need to be as insulated and bulky.
- Helmets should fit well, snug but not so tight it causes discomfort when worn for longer periods. You should have a tinted and clear visor, or the new flip-down tinted visor is a good solution for varying light conditions. An anti-fog insert or treatment is a great idea also. Open face helmets are not acceptable on this event.
Conditions of Entry
- Entries are not transferable.
- The person or persons who obtain the entry is the Entrant.
- Entries each year will be accepted at the absolute discretion of the Senior Motoring Events Manager.
- Support vehicles are NOT permitted.
- All riders must complete an indemnity form, have paid entry fees 7 days prior to departure and have paid provisions fees 7 days prior to departure.
Fees and costs
Our fees are divided into two types.
The Entry Fee is your fundraising minimum fee and is fully tax-deductible.
- Fundraising minimum $2,500.
- A holding deposit of $500 is required on entry to secure your place. This must be paid to Variety 2 months prior to the start of the event. The deposit is a non-refundable donation.
The provision fee covers all mandatory meals for the event except where stated as well as selected merchandise, signage and support services during the event.
- As an as an example, 2024 provisions fee was around $450 inc gst. It will be confirmed closer to the event as all the event items are booked.
Other Costs
- Additional costs such as fuel, potential mechanical repairs, refreshments, and other out-of-pocket expenses are at your own expense.
How does the fundraising work?
Money can be raised by you through a lot of different ways. You can seek sponsorship, hold functions, raffles, auctions, or request donations direct to your Variety Adventure Ride fundraising page. All money is given to and officially receipted by Variety.
Sponsors should be aware that their donations will directly assist kids and emphasise that you and your team are meeting the cost of preparing and running your vehicle and other related expenses.
You can add stickers and custom paintwork to acknowledge your sponsors to your bike. We provide Thank You certificates to acknowledge your sponsors.
The Bike
- All entrants need a roadworthy, registered “Adventure Bike“.
- It is a condition of entry that your luggage is carried on the Baggage Truck each day, however you may carry necessary items like phone, wallet, water bottle, sunglasses, ear plugs, a visor cleaning kit and pocketknife in tank bags attached to your bike. A small bag on the rear rack can be used to carry a spare tube and basic tools.
- Hard or soft panniers and top boxes are not permitted on your bike during the event.
The Event
Route instructions
The Motoring Events team survey the event prior to the official start to set the route and make all the arrangements. On the day, our Setup team will head out early to check the roads and signpost our planned route.
Never leave the Adventure Ride route without telling someone, preferably an official. The Adventure Ride is well serviced with officials who check you out at the start of a section and back in at the completion of a section. If you don’t come through the finishing Checkpoint and our “Sweep” (last official in) has not seen you, then we put in a search and rescue plan. You will be liable for any charges if it proves to be a false alarm!
Following the Road Rules
The Adventure Ride is allowed to run because we adhere to the road rules of all the states we travel though. We have no dispensation to break any existing road rule set by the police or the state’s ruling body, i.e., Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) in NSW.
Support Vehicles
Travelling with the Adventure Ride are Mobile Workshops (MW) crewed by qualified and experienced mechanics, engineers and technicians whose job it is to look after all motorcycles.
We care about your safety and comfort along the route so we travel with a full support crew. Here is what you need to know.
Baggage - A baggage vehicle will be provided for all entrants as no one is to carry baggage with them on the event. This keeps your weight down and helps you to manoeuvre your motorbike much more easily in the rough terrain sections. A tank bag is allowable for small personal items like wallets and phones. A small bag on the rear rack can be used to carry a spare tube and basic tools.
Support Teams - There will be medical and mechanical teams travelling with the event to support riders. It is advised that you have spare tyres stored with the tyre support vehicle as tyres are the main cause of stoppages on these types of events. If you are aware of the common parts that fail on your particular model you can also have these stored on the Baggage Vehicle.
Safety & Precautions - Motorcycle riding is a hazardous activity and we suggest you have the appropriate insurances in place before embarking on this event e.g. Domestic Travel Insurance, Motor Cycle Insurance and possibly Road Side Assistance. For the safety of others, we require participants to complete an Indemnity Form and provide details of a current Working With Children Check (details on how to obtain one are available on the event entry form).
