Long ride home

LOCAL cyclists and cycling enthusiasts alike are being encouraged to enter the Johnny Warren Jamberoo Classic.

The event, now entering its fourth year, is a charity bike ride from Waratah Park in Loftus to Jamberoo Pub and will be held on Sunday January7.

The 96 km course takes in the spectacular views of the Illawarra coast line before ending in the picturesque rural setting of Jamberoo and what is the spiritual home of Australian football.

It is always good to have another event on the calendar and an event named after Australias favourite footballing son Johnny Warren is special for the area, said Johnnys nephew, Jamie Warren.

Organisers are expecting close to 200 riders, which is a far cry from the inaugural ride in 2003, that had a dozen riders, as SBS Cycling commentator and host of Cycling Central, Mike Tomalaris explains.

The event started out as a segment for our Cycling Central program and we decided Jamberoo would be a great place to end it, he said.

That was 12 months before Johnny passed away and he met us at the pub and it really was a special moment.

Kyle Patterson and I have continued to hold the event each year in Johnnys honour and we are astounded as to how the event continues to grow and now this year with local support and interest in the event will only add to that.

The event has attracted world class riders in the past and while it is not a race, is suited to the amateur rider looking for a healthy Sunday challenge.

The ride will start at 7.30am; with registrations required for insurance purposed full personal detail will be required at check in. Where you will also make a donation of your choice to the Sydney Cancer Foundation.

We have planned three stops along the way at Otford, Wollongong and Shellharbour to ensure we can all regroup and recharge the batteries. As the event has grown it could not be possible this year without the support of Cycling Australia who have offered full insurance support.

The ride will conclude back at the pub and we will celebrate with some lunch and some good old Aussie folk music and it is sure to be a great occasion, added Mr Tomalaris.

All money raised will go to the Sydney Cancer Foundation, of which, Johnny Warren was vice patron, something that was dear to Johnnys heart, as Jamie adds.

After Uncle John was diagnosed with cancer he devoted a lot of time to raising awareness and funds into cancer research. He would be very happy with the event entering its fourth year and particularly having his name associated with it.

Mike and Kyle had a close association with John and the event is testament to that and the high esteem in which they both held John.

It is a good promotion for Kiama and Jamberoo too, he added.

Set to promote tourism and attract interest in the local area, a visit to Jamberoo Pub now carries an extra special meaning, with From Botany to Berlin Celebrating the life of Johnny Warren exhibition now on display in the new extended dining area.

Something that will be on offer for visitors for a while yet.

It will be up here indefinitely Jamberoo Pub is Johns pub. It is known as the spiritual home of football it is where Johnny Warren used to relax and chat to people. I couldnt think of anything anymore fitting to be here in this room.

People are raving about it and it is so appropriate that Johns life story is on the walls here. The exhibition is an insight into where Johnny came from. The southern suburbs of Sydney, which was a rugby league area.

I dont know why he chose football but he did and his life shows how he continued for the love of playing and the love of the game. It really shows through here, added Jamie.

The Johnny Warren Jamberoo Classic is the first big celebration in 2007, the year that will mark the 150th anniversary of Jamberoo Pub.

A map of the Johnny Warren Jamberoo Classic course will be published in the Kiama Independent next week and is also available from HYPERLINK "mailto:jwjc@kiamaindependent.com.au" jwjc@kiamaindependent.com.au