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 )