The Silly Santas By Richard Young

Transcription

1 The Silly Santas By Richard Young Christmas was fast approaching and, as someone from colder climes, to me it never really does feel Christmassy in Cairns. It was time to inject some Christmas cheer with some fellow bike riders and create the Silly Santas bike ride from Cairns to Palm Cove. So the idea was simple - MTB from Cairns, using the cycle paths as much as we could, via a few watering holes up to Palm Cove in Santa suits in 30 degree heat. 2IC Santa came up with the idea of collecting for charity in the process thus giving the day a little bit of purpose rather than just a few mates riding bikes and having a couple of beers. It also meant that it was always going to gain approval from our better halves. We asked Couch in Cairns if we could collect on their behalf and 2IC Santa sorted out the collection tins and paperwork so everything was above board. The date was now set and invites sent out to Santa Claus wannabes across the Cairns bike riding community. I was getting a bit stressed as December is a really busy time for Santas and I was worried we may struggle for numbers. On the day we had 13 Santas turn up at the Salt House. Every Santa popped $20 in the tins to get them rattling. After a couple of beers to get acquainted and a couple of disgruntled parents (kids who spoke to these Santas got promised everything from ipads to top of the line bikes ) we were on our way. It was a busy market day on the Esplanade so it was decided we should ride along the road to the RSL. The police didn't look too favourably upon this and pulled up 13 Santas for obstructing traffic. It ended up light hearted though and we managed get their coffee money into the charity tins. As the Grand Santa it was my job to keep all the other Santas moving which was already proving difficult but the tins were getting heavier and the response from the public along the route was fantastic.

2 We pushed on to the Barron River Pub where Enzed Cairns were having their Christmas party and they sent the Santas several food platters which were very much appreciated. We now headed along the newly created bike path (thanks Cairns Regional Council) down to the Red Beret, where the patrons were very generous and money flowed into the tins. Then the longest leg of the day, onto the Smithfield Tavern, where the Santas were greeted with a couple of free jugs of beer to help us cool down. As there was no bike-fitness prerequisite for this ride some of the Santas were starting to struggle and it was touch and go whether they would make it to the end. The ride up to AJ Hackett was only a short leg but that little pinch at the end saw QS Santa nearly cancel Christmas. At AJ Hackett it was time to unleash the Santakini. Sometimes things should be left in a box but this Santa was insistent and he wanted to swing.

3 Our time at AJ Hackett was fantastic but after a few beers it was time to move on. The initial plan was to include a quick blast through the Smithfield mtb park but time/ daylight was getting away from us and some of the Santas were getting a little bit loose so it was time to push towards Trinity Beach and L'Unicos. At Trinity Beach it was now starting to show that it was a long day so it was a quick beer and then a push along the beach to Palm Cove. Somehow the Hungarian Santa went to a Christmas party after this. The tins were now very heavy and in Palm Cove people were very generous, in particular the owner of Chill Cafe. It was now time for a few photos and we managed to gate crash a wedding shoot on the jetty. In Palm Cove some of our families turned up to join us for a photo on the jetty.

4 With all the Santas safe and sound it was finally time for me to have a few beers and relax. In total 13 Santa Clauses raised over $1045 in a day. We all had a few beers, a lot of fun and as far as I know Christmas still happened. Some of the Santas were having so much fun they were still out in the wee hours. Next year's ride will be in December and, if you know one of the inaugural Santas, you may well get an invite.

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