Thelma Pearson - My Grand Finale
About this page
Thelma says goodbye to the Rides...
Thelma writes:
For the past ten years my life has been so busy, happy and wonderful, since I joined as a Volunteer Marshal on the Big Bike Rides with New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. I have done every New South Wales Ride since 1998 Barham to Albury, all Queensland Rides except last September and many thanks to Bicycle Victoria for the Great Rides to New Zealand, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria.
I have also Marshaled on six 1-day yearly Rides here in Lake Macquarie, Loop the Lake.
I can’t say that one Ride stands out as favourite, as they have all been wonderful. I have made hundreds of friends, I love all the Riders from the young to the old.
One of my greatest experiences was on our 2000 Tweed Heads to Sydney Ride, when I met Ian Opperman, the son of Hubert Opperman.”Oppy” was Australia’s Greatest Bike Rider in years gone by. In his younger days he rode a lot in Mudgee – my “home town”. My dad was a Champion bike rider of Mudgee and he came second to “Oppy” in a fifty mile race. I think the race was from Mudgee to Lithgow. It would be great if Ian Opperman could come to Mudgee on our Great Escapade!
A message to all my darling bike riders:
Take Care. Be Happy. God Bless.
I LOVE YOU ALL,
Thelma Pearson
P.S. I am so sorry that this will be my last Ride, as age waits for no-one.