Mountain bikers to trace the Light Horsemen’s ride

On October 30-31, exactly 100 years since the heroic victory of the ANZACs in the Battle of Beer Sheba, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will become the first Australian prime minister to visit Israel to attend the centennial commemoration…and going for the ride is Australian cycling legend Cadel Evans.

Evans will lead mountain-bikers from around the world who will have the opportunity to commemorate and celebrate the brave men who fought in this historic battle by participating in the >Anzac centenary bike ride, a 100 kilometer bike trail that retraces the Anzac mounted division before their famous charge – the last cavalry charge in modern history.

Instead of horses – bikes, instead of war – peace, but the spirit, location and path are the same. The “ride like an Anzac”campaign will climax with the reenactment of the light horseman charge by Australian and New Zealand troops (some of whom are descendants of the original ANZACs who fought the battle 100 years ago).

This bike ride has attracted hundreds of mountain-biking enthusiasts and history buffs from around the world to experience the famous Anzac trail. 120 Australians have already signed up with other riders coming from NZ, Canada, France, South Africa, USA and Israel. A special 15km community bike ride is attracting many local riders from business people, school children, members of Israel’s parliament to many different minority groups.

Cadel Evans will be joined in the ride by his 7-yr-old adopted Ethiopian son. Evans said: By following the Anzac trails by bike, I expect that it will give us a much better understanding of what our Anzac heroes experienced 100 years ago. At the same time, we will be helping Budo for Peace and Kids kicking Cancer organisations, both fantastic courses. I am proud that the bicycle is choice of transport; the bike is a great way to see and feel an unfamiliar environment, and of course, we will all be in it together in a mateship sense, something that was as underpinning strength of our Anzacs.

I’m excited about the whole experience of the Ceremony, from a historical and learning experience, to remember and celebrate our ancestors courage as, to the good causes we can help today. My son and I are very excited about being able to come and participate.

Special memorial ceremonies will be attended by the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and over 3000 Australians who will be attending the event.

Australian Ambassador to Turkey James Larsen who was responsible for the 100^th anniversary of Gallipoli in 2016 says “I am so glad to endorse the Beersheva Centenary Bike Ride. The Beersheva story is an iconic part of the Australia – Israel history and coming up for 100 years, it’s a brilliant opportunity to celebrate together.”

The Anzac Centennial ride is organized by three nonprofit organizations – Budo for Peace, Kids Kicking Cancer and Shekel, and all revenues are for supporting empowerment programs for children with cancer and people with special needs.

Danny Hakim, a dual Australian Israeli citizen and chairman of Kids Kicking Cancer Israel said “ I am pleased to see that 100% of the money raised by the riders will go towards empowering kids with cancer and people with special needs. The heroic legend of the Anzacs fits well in supporting our little heroes program of Kids Kicking Cancer.”

He added: “Former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma will be riding with us on Day 1.  We have a two-day 100km ( for 100yrs) ride and a Community ride on 31st Oct for all segments of Israeli society. Cadel’s son will be riding and Sharren Haskel, a young member of the Knesset who spent 6 years in Australia and is chairman of the friends of the Aust/Israel Knesset committee, will be in the Community ride which finishes before the Reeancement.

To register see www.anzacride.com or contact Danny [email protected] +972 544649546