When Earth Frequency Festival takes place on 15 February, a group of punters will have got there under their own steam. The first annual Rainforest Ride will see ten people cycle for four days from Mullumbimby, through the Scenic Rim to Ivory’s Rock where the festival takes place.

The Ride’s founder Paul Daley says the inspiration is all about creating pathways for people to experience the rainforest as well as the joys of mountain biking

“I've been riding mountain bikes with my dad, uncles and cousins for 12 years now and  nothing quite compares to the challenge of climbing a mountain and the pure bliss of flying down the other side through the trees, smelling the land, tasting the fresh morning dew in the air, listening to the morning birds call and wallabies hopping alongside as you explore the back-country forest trails away from the crowded coastal tourist areas,” Paul said. 

Paul has been attending Earth Frequency Festival for 13 years and says it’s a very unique event.

“It's a true transformational gathering that combines dance, music, art with personal development, environmental, spiritual and embodiment workshops for a huge diversity of interests.”

“We're creating an opportunity for those who are looking to expand physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually - a space for people who want to travel to the festival in a totally new way whilst experiencing some of the incredibly lush landscapes on route.

Paul says he’d like the ride to become an annual event that connects people deeply to the forest and encourages adventure and regenerative tourism in my hometown area.
 
“I'd like this to become a regular thing each year at the festival - and I'm also exploring local eco-tourism and rainforest connection - that takes people from the coast up into the back-country where some really magical hidden gems are found, small and slow eco-tourism that cultivates a deep sense of connection and belonging with the land and particularly the rainforest.”

The ride raises funds for Rainforest 4 – a new Mullumbimby-based international NGO that raises funds for rainforest conservation work globally.

“This is the traditional heartland of the Bundjalung people with the Border Ranges National Park being managed by the Githabul tribe who maintain active custodianship of this lush Gondwana World Heritage listed rainforest,” Paul explained. “We'll be riding our mountain bikes through the largest expanse of sub-tropical rainforest in Australia!”

As well as the cycling, the trip includes daily yoga, interpretive rainforest guides and camping. The trip covers 222km and costs each participant $380. Entry to Earth Frequency Festival is extra, but organisers have secured an industry discount for its Rainforest Ride punters.

“We are especially inviting of anyone who is lit up by this experience but doubts their ability to ride that far due to fitness levels, past accident trauma or self-imposed cap on personal abilities that wants to be released (going from 'Wow this looks awesome but I'm not sure I am capable of this??... to 'Yes let's do this - my body is fully capable and I am committed to training at least once a week for the next month to ride most of the way to the festival',” Paul said. 

Samantha Morris
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Please make a donation to support the fundraising efforts of the riders here. 

The ride is capped at ten people. For more information visit: www.alushforest.com/ride