The ride was formed about three years ago in memory of Joel Hawkins, the son of former Jerilderie Public School student Les Hawkins.
A small crowd gathered to welcome sole rider Chris Savage, who was Joel’s former coach.
His support team included Joel’s dad, Les Hawkins.
The crew were invited to St Joseph’s Catholic School to speak to an outdoor gathering of students and teachers about bike safety, after cancellation of the Jerilderie Public School talk.
Mr Hawkins and crew enjoyed catching up with his family and friends for an evening barbecue on Thursday night, before heading onto the next stage of the ride on Friday.
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Apart from people’s serious siege mentality regarding toilet paper, hand towels and tissues, plus many other basic items, locals are being forced into lock-down mode by the Coronavirus on other fronts.
The latest is the cancellation of CWA monthly meetings, Hospital Auxiliary monthly meetings and money raising activities.
A proposed memorial service for residents of our health service has also been postponed until further notice.
Jerilderie Lifeball is on hold, the Wednesday morning bingo at the hospital is off and visitors for the hospital’s Thursday Happy Hour are being asked to not attend until further notice.
St Joseph’s School Family Fun Day, planned for March 28, has also been cancelled.
St Andrew’s Uniting Church will not hold services until further notice, and the holiday Youth Programme planned for April has been cancelled.
Only takeaways are available from Rita and Guy at the sports club.
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Looking further ahead, the 30th annual Good Friday Golf Day for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal has had to change tactics too.
It will go ahead, but there will only be golf played; no bowls and no raffles.
The auction will be held live on the sports club Facebook page.
The clubhouse will be closed but an outside bar will be open until 6pm and an outside barbecue will also be available for players.
Further information is available on the sports club Facebook page, or see local brochures in circulation.
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Students and teachers at St Joseph’s school had a busy day on Thursday, March 19, with the Feast Day of St Joseph, the school’s patron saint.
In the morning, the school travelled to Berrigan to share in a 9.30am Mass to celebrate the feast day of St Joseph with St Columba’s School community.
In the afternoon, Jerilderie parents and carers shared lunch at St Joey’s with students and staff continuing the celebrations.
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Another victim of the Coronavirus pandemic is the Jerilderie Vinnie's store, which is now closed indefinitely.
The main street will start to look like a ghost town soon.
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