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.
--
Regards,

Andrew Heffernan
National AJET Council, 2009-2010
Block 3 Representative - block3@ajet.net