On Saturday, February 18 participants in the charity motorcycle ride will travel from Sydney to Parkes. 

With 2017 being the fifth year of the charity ride, organisers decided it needs a change to the route. 

“We wanted to keep it fresh. A lot of the riders were saying they could almost do it in their sleep.” Big Ride 4 Parkinson’s organiser, Mark Atherton said.

It was decided in November that the Big Ride 4 Parkinson’s would take a different route, using the Bell’s Line of Road rather than the Great Western Highway.

The new route will have the riders departing from Fraser Motorcycles, Concord in Sydney around 9am. They will be stopping in Lithgow for fuel, followed by Mudgee for lunch. After a quick pass through Wellington, they will head straight for the Cambridge Hotel in Clarinda Street Parkes, expecting to arrive about 4pm.

The charity ride will be raising money for Parkinson’s NSW, where it will be used to support people living with Parkinson’s through their infoline, counselling, nurses in homes and other services.

Around 100 riders will mount their bikes for the event, including Mark and Angry Anderson.

“Angry Anderson’s great, he does this for us every year,” Mark said.

The festivities will continue into the night at the Cambridge Hotel with a set from Angry Anderson.

Local band the Red Henry’s will be performing too. All are welcome to attend to support Parkinson’s NSW and the riders.

There will be opportunities for people to donate to Parkinson’s NSW. With over 700,000 people in Australia directly impacted by Parkinson’s, Parkinson’s NSW help children, parents, husbands, wives, partners, friends and grandchildren from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

They also support health professionals working in the area of Parkinson’s disease to better understand the disease and how to assist those affected by it.

In addition to the their support services, Parkinson’s NSW fund research into finding better treatments and ultimately finding a cure.