What you need to know about the Variety Adventure Ride

Curious to know what it takes to be part of the Variety Adventure Ride? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Rider Information

• Entrants must be a minimum of 18 years of age and hold a current motorcycle licence (no learners permits allowed).
• Entrants must wear the fluoro vest supplied by Variety 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 when conditions are warmer.
• Boots should be purpose-built providing good shin and ankle protection and support.
• You should always travel with two sets of gloves. One waterproof pair with a built-in squeegee on the left index finger to easily wipe your helmet visor in the rain for colder or wet conditions. Another set of lighter gloves is very handy for when conditions are warmer. Both pairs should be strong and abrasion-resistant.
• Helmets should fit well and be snug, but not so tight they cause 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

• The individual who obtains the entry is referred to as the Entrant.
• Entries are non-transferable.
• Entries are accepted at the absolute discretion of the Senior Events Manager.
• Support vehicles are NOT permitted.
• All Entrants must complete an indemnity form and pay entry and provisions fees 7 days prior to departure.

Fees and costs

Entry Fee
A $500 (ex GST) Entry Fee is required per Entrant. This secures your spot in the event and is non-refundable.

Provisions Fee
A Provisions Fee is charged per person and will be confirmed closer to the event. This covers a selection of meals, event merchandise, signage and support services such as mechanical and medical support.

Accommodation and all other out-of-pocket expenses are your own responsibility.

Minimum Fundraising
In addition to your Entry and Provisions Fees, a minimum of $2,000 must be fundraised or donated to Variety prior to the start of the event. All donations above $2 are tax-deductible and Variety will issue tax invoices for all donations received. Refer to our Resources page for tips on how to fundraise and reach your target.

Other Costs

Additional costs such as accommodation, 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 in many different ways. You can seek sponsorship, hold functions, raffles, auctions, or request donations direct to your Variety Adventure Ride fundraising page. All money given to Variety will be officially receipted.

Sponsors should be aware that their donations will go to Variety to support programs that assist kids and that you and your team are personally responsible for meeting the cost of preparing and running your bike and other event related expenses.

You can add stickers and custom paintwork to acknowledge your sponsors to your bike. Variety provides Thank You certificates to acknowledge your sponsors.

Your Bike

All Entrants need a roadworthy, registered “Adventure Bike“.

It is a condition of entry that your luggage is carried on the baggage vehicle 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 pass through the finishing Checkpoint and our “Sweep” (last official in) has not seen you, we commence 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, eg. Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) in NSW.

Support Vehicles

Mobile Workshops (MW) crewed by qualified and experienced mechanics travel with the Adventure Ride. These are 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 you are not permitted to carry baggage on your bike. This keeps your weight down and helps you manoeuvre your motorbike more easily in rough terrain. A tank bag is allowed 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 store these 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, Motorcycle Insurance and possibly Road Side Assistance. You are required to complete an Indemnity Form and provide details of a current Working With Children Check (details on how to obtain this are shared in the registration form).