And now, the long-anticipated Oita International Charity Bike Trip 2010 will commence in about 6 weeks and counting...we hope you're just as excited as we are!!!

WHAT is the Oita International Charity Bike Trip?
This bike trip will be our 13th annual event for riders to cycle up to 300 km in 3 days through the beautiful countryside of Oita Prefecture. Prior to and during the bike trip, both riders and volunteers will raise money for Room to Read, a NPO dedicated to providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children.

WHY?
Oita JETs have been organizing the bike trip for the past 12 years to raise funds for various charities. These last couple years, Oita JETs have raised enough for Room to Read to build one school in Vietnam and one in Nepal!

Recently, we've reached our goal to build our 3rd school in Sri Lanka and will begin fundraising for a new library-building project called the Reading Room and other charitable donations.

Aside from this charitable aspect, it's also tremendous FUN!!! Get out of your local town and see more of gorgeous Kyushu, meet people, make friends and strengthen yourself physically. Participants in the past (especially first-year JETs) have all agreed that the bike trip remains one of his/her most memorable, challenging and enjoyable experiences in Japan. You don't want to miss out!

WHO?
ANYONE is welcome  - invite your friends and coworkers! Many JETs and non-JETs from all over Japan have participated in the past, too.

HOW?
We ask riders and volunteers to collect as much sponsorship money as they can from friends, family and coworkers for undertaking this bike challenge. There are no minimums or demands; everyone does what they can with the provided speeches (in English and Japanese), word-of-mouth and any other fundraising ideas you may have. Fundraised money will be collected from each participant on the first day.

Each participant (riders & volunteers) pays a ¥15,000 fee that covers insurance, accommodations, breakfast and dinner for 2 nights, drinks, snacks, gas money for volunteers and a snazzy, sweat-proof t-shirt to commemorate the event.

WHERE?
Riders and volunteers will meet at the Max Value 24-hour parking lot next to Sakanoichi Station (5 short stops from Oita Station) on Saturday morning, turn in his/her fundraising money, warm up, debrief and then set off towards the first night's destination of Kamae Marine Culture Center. The day brings us through Usuki, Tsukumi and Saiki with gorgeous sea views, well-paved bike paths and mostly flat, gentle hills.

The second day dips us into Miyazaki Prefecture and back up through Nobeoka and into Ume, passing through more coastal scenery and panoramic mountain views, but with steeper inclines and hills than the first day. The day ends at the Ume Camp Mura cabins with onsens and striking views of the Ume Suspension Bridge.

Our third day brings us through Mie and Inukai and back to our starting point at Max Value on Monday late afternoon, where riders and volunteers will gather for a last group pictures and celebrations.

WHEN?
Like past years, this year's ride will take place on the March 3-day weekend on Saturday, March 20 to Monday, March 21 (Vernal Equinox Day). There is no need to take nenkyu.

Much more details are available at http://oitabikeride.wikia.com e.g. fundraising speeches, route maps, pictures, how to get your bike to the station, etc.

Please see the wiki page on how to reserve your spot.
Deadline to reserve your spot is Friday, February 26.