Cycle of Life Tour - Competition
Some of you may be aware of the Cycle Of Life tour (http://cycleoflifetour.org/ ) which was an intended ride from Melbourne to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road to raise money for Transplant Australia which was to commence on March 5th had to be postponed due to Matt Toser's father Dennis who had become very ill (http://cycleoflifetour.org/?page_id=82). The ride will be reschuduled for later in the year however it was Matts original dream to commence the ride on the 4th anniversary of Dennis' transplant. Definitely wanted to keep the enthusiam for this great cause and the purpose of this ride alive, hence suggested to Matt that I would do this ride as planned. Essentially this ride is not about me but about determination and keeping a dream alive for Matt and Dennis. Consequently I have self funded the trip to Melbourne and will head out on the road as intended on the 5th March to have an attempt at conquering the 1100 km back to Adelaide. As this is a solo unsupported ride, the original itinerary has gone out the window as it symbolises the fact that those waiting for a life saving transplant may or may not receive the organ they need.
To get people involved I would like to suggest a competition.....all you need to do to enter is be an Adelaide Cyclist member and all you have to do is guess the date and time of Chewbaccas arrival in Victoria Square, Adelaide.....the closest guess will be the winner. Simply for Adelaide Cyclists members to enter, your entry must include the day, date and time of arrival in 24 hour time in hour and minute. Entries must be posted on this blog before 2200hrs on Monday 5th March.
The all important prize is a pair of new (not used) Continential GP 4000s tyres which I picked up from Noel at the Bike Station. Definitely would like to thank Noel for sharing his passion for the bicycle with me over the last several years. Noel has great respect for all forms of cycling whether it is racing, commuting, recreational, randonering etc, cycling in whatever form can be for everyone.
For anyone skeptical about why anyone would put themselves through 1100km, there are so many rewards for getting on a bike and seeing how far it will take me. Previously I have partipated in several fund raising rides dating back to the late 1990s when I participated in Woodys Murray to Moyne Challenge several times raising money for the Sunraysia Community Health Service in Mildura. It was last year I participated in the Square 2 Square ride raising money for the FMC Cancer Centre. Late last year again joined up with the Ride of Hope crew in Pt Augusta who had ridden all the way from Perth and were heading for Wentworth, NSW to raise money for the Black Dog Institute.
After this particular ride, I will be heading out again with another group the Ride4Repat to ride from Adelaide to Mt Gambier and return for a distance of 930 km. the combination of both the Cycle of Life Tour and the Ride 4 Repat will give a combined mileage of over 2000 km for March, hence the motivation to complete both rides is there. This year have learned so much about maintaining the correct head space, thereby not to focus inwardly when it gets tough but instead to look outwardly and enjoy just being out and soaking in the scenery. To complete a ride of this magnitude is rather euphoric and especially many each year take the opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause and it gives motivation to get the job done....this ride is dedicated to Matt and Dennis Tozer and to keep hope alive :)
If you would care to give a donation or even tell others about this fundraising ride here is a link
(http://www.everydayhero.com.au/cycle_of_life_tour)
Occassionally I will place a blog up and let you all know how the ride is progressing. Iam truely fortunate to have this opportunity and the support of my family and friends to do something Iam truely passionate about....simply because "we love this shite" (isnt that right Smudge ??? - even have the T shirt to prove it )
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Comment by Don Plush on March 4, 2012 at 7:20 -
My guess is:
12.5.12 at 1251hrs and 2 seconds!
All the best for the ride, Rob. It is a great cause that you riding for. My brother was the recipient of a kidney & pancreas transplant last September. He needed them due to the long term effects of type 1 diabetes...so I know how important it is and what it means to those who have been fortunate to get their transplant and also for those still waiting.
Enjoy the ride.
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Comment by Rob (Chewbacca) on March 4, 2012 at 8:09 -
Hi Don...thankyou and will enjoy the ride as I know this cause means alot to so many and their families...community awareness is a step in the right direction for improving peoples chances of receiving the organ they may need. As a nurse have experienced both what organ donors and the recipent go through....and feel saddened by those who never had that second chance.
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Comment by Alexander Langman Hender on March 5, 2012 at 6:59 -
I have the inside running as I'm seeing you off today, Rob, but I'll go 12/05/12, around 8 pm, in time for dinner :D
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Comment by Lorraine C on March 5, 2012 at 16:21 -
11/3/12 @ 1830hrs. You're amazing!! And you say you're not that fit!! Good luck & enjoy...
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Comment by Lorraine C on March 5, 2012 at 16:23
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Hey I think I'm the closest to winning so far, the other guesses are for May....I hope it doesnt take you that long!!
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Comment by Juz on March 5, 2012 at 16:40 -
Hey Chewie! Keep the updates coming as you ride. I take my hat off to you making this effort. Thanks for sharing with us why you're doing it too.
My guess for your return is 11th March, 2012 at 1345hrs.
All the best and have a wonderful journey my friend!
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Comment by Clive Palfrey on March 5, 2012 at 17:42 -
I suspect that you want to get back to Adelaide for the birthday party I won't be having due to work commitments, or maybe you think if I have a good set of tyres I might go out and get a suitable bike for them. So 12/3/12 at 6.01 pm is my time and yes 6.01 is a very relevent number. Good speed and tail winds Rob and such a nice blog to spark a bit of interest in AC matters.
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Comment by Patrick O'Kane on March 5, 2012 at 17:53 -
That clock keeps ticking Clive :) I'm going to say 12/3 at 21:51 The 51 is relevant, the 21 wishful.
I think Chewie is getting soft, he didn't ride to Melbourne
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Comment by Don Plush on March 5, 2012 at 17:57
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What was I thinking!
Should be 12/3/12 1231 and 2 seconds...let's hope Chewie lets me change it (or he rides really slowly and comes home in May!)
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Comment by Rob (Chewbacca) on March 5, 2012 at 18:12
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Thanx everybody for your support...outside of Lorne...battled south westerly all day...saw a few fellas returning opposite direction doing over 40km/hr....hoping wind will die tonight or change to a south easterly...weather forecast for next few days in my favour ....keep those guesses coming in...brand new contis in boxes up for graps $179.00 value :)
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