Cyclists jumping off the jetty. Photos: Chloe Sipeki
Last weekend called for big celebrations after the WA Police Legacy Outback 2 Ocean bike ride smashed fundraising goals, doubling previous efforts.
The thirty cyclists finally dismounted their bikes mid-morning on Friday after a gruelling 16-hour overnight journey from Kalgoorlie.
Crowds watched the cyclists cross the “finish line”, which in this case was a jet stream of water from a fire hose arcing over the riders as they cycled underneath.
The cyclists had already started their celebrations in the last few kilometres of the ride and were dressed in fancy dress costumes as they pulled up to the Whale Tail.
Once feet were off pedals and back on the ground, celebratory non-alcoholic beverages swiftly made their way into the hands of many before the group went out to the jetty for the necessary “Toyota jump” into the water.
Senior Constable Matt Lee said being met with smiles and waves at the finish line had left him with a lump in his throat.
“What a sense of achievement,” he said.
Participant numbers had almost doubled compared to 2024, which Snr Con. Lee said was amazing but had also made it all a far greater feat.
“13 to 30 is a big jump,” he said.
“It’s a big task logistically”
“We are especially grateful to the Rotary for their help.”
Members of the Rotary Club of Esperance supported the ride, picking up and dropping off cyclists to the various stations along the road and providing food to fuel them to the end.
Post-ride, Snr Con. Lee said his first stop was lunch with his fellow officers down at the station.
On Saturday, the Ocean 2 Outback participants held a presentation at 33 Degrees where awards were handed out and it was announced that $122,500 had been raised for WA Police Legacy.
The fundraising efforts significantly surpassed last year’s sum of $57,000.
Snr Con. Lee said the group were grateful for all the support they had received from the community and all who contributed in some way to the cause.
The weekend of celebrations wrapped up on Sunday after the group spent the day at the Esperance Cup with festivities hosted by the Esperance Turf Club.
