Nick Johnson travels the 2024 Variety Adventure Ride to raise funds
The Variety Adventure Ride is not a race, it’s a fun way to fundraise while taking a journey through the incredible scenery of remote Victorian High Country. This yearly motorbike ride brings Australians together to explore off-road tracks, all while raising funds for incredible initiatives by Variety - the Children’s Charity. Pickles is proud to be a major partnering sponsor of the event and has a long, rich history with the charity itself and the ride. In 2024, Pickles’ own General Manager - Salvage, Nick Johnson, flew the Pickles flag and undertook the 1,500km journey while encouraging donations for the cause.
Starting in Jindabyne, Nick rode for 6 days using rural, remote and off-road tracks that took him by some of Australia’s most bucolic views. The ride is supported by a full mechanic and medical crew, making sure that adventurers stay safe as they travel along some largely untouched backroads through Australian High Country. With some participants travelling alone and some in groups, the ride was attended by dozens of riders from many backgrounds, all of whom have a love for motorbikes and supporting communities. In 2024, Nick rode as an independent while also flying the Pickles flag, and expressed that he was able to raise significant funds for the event due to the generous contributions of his Pickles comrades.
The 6-day event included the following stops:
Day 1: Sunday 17 March: Jindabyne – Omeo – Bright
Day 2: Monday 18 March: Bright – Craig’s Hut – Mansfield
Day 3: Tuesday 19 March: Mansfield – Licola – Sale
Day 4: Wednesday 20 March: Sale – Lakes Entrance
Day 5: Thursday 21 March: Lakes Entrance – Delegate – Merimbula
Day 6: Friday 22 March: Merimbula – Jindabyne
This incredible journey took riders through many rural/remote Australian communities, which Nick says is one of the best parts of the event. Along the drive, riders stop at some small schools to say hello to some of the children who may benefit from some of the fantastic initiatives supported by the funds raised during the Variety Adventure ride.
‘The best part of the experience is hard to choose, because the views are unbeatable but I also love getting to visit the destinations, meet the kids and see first-hand some of the communities that benefit most from Variety. For me, the whole experience is about doing it for the kids.’
Nick Johnson, General Manager - Salvage
Pickles works with Variety every year for a range of activities and charitable initiatives, however the Variety Adventure Ride is perhaps the most beloved and anticipated each year. Especially by Pickles’ champion Nick, who has been personally involved with the charity for almost 20 years. For more information on some of the people, places and initiatives that funds support, check out Variety’s website or donate to the cause here.
Watch footage from The 2024 Variety Adventure ride on LinkedIn, or follow more Pickles content on Instagram and Facebook to stay ahead of the kerb.
11 Apr