I did the Ride to Conquer Cancer!

So it's done and dusted! We just spent two days cycling through areas of Qld that I never even knew existed - there is some very pretty places out there! So we started our adventure at 3.45am, Carly & Sharn got dressed and we all loaded the car. Backpack, camp mat, sleeping bag, bike, me. Check. Ready to go. Friends came to our place - the Mums (thanks to the Mums!! Barb & Doss - you are amazing!) and we were on the road by 4.10am.

5.30am, waiting for the day to dawn

Me and my support team - Carly, Sharn
Doss (far left) and Barb (far right)

Myself & Carly - ready to ride

Checked in at St Lucia Campus of the University of Qld by 5.10am and trying not to freeze my whiskers off by 5.15am!! Bag checked onto the truck and keen and super excited about the ride... now. We are here with 1342 other riders and between us, this event is the largest single fundraising event in QIMR's history, raising an amazing 4.7 million dollars for Cancer Research, still makes me emotional to think of all of the people that worked together to make this event and the scope of it a reality... and we were a part of this history making event! I am both proud and honoured. (...and bleary-eyed and sniffly as I read back over it - such was the emotional power of this event to me and what is worse, I am in a public place eating breakfast while I write and check this blog with tears streaming down my face - Carly)

The following is from the press release at the Ride website.

Funds raised from the Ride will support ground-breaking QIMR research into a range of cancers including breast and ovarian cancer, bowel cancer, blood cancers such as leukemia, brain cancer and skin cancers including melanoma.

“The support will have a significant impact on cancer patients through improved diagnostics, prevention and treatment options,” said Professor Gannon.

“Planning is already underway for next year’s event which promised to be even bigger and better. I encourage everyone to register today by visiting www.conquercancer.org.au.”

QIMR scientist and rider Professor David Whiteman spoke to the impact of the Ride. “I feel honoured to ride alongside these inspiring and committed people. Their hard work to raise funds makes a huge impact to my research into the causes of skin cancer - their support will make it possible to improve our identification of at risk patients and help address the growing number of people diagnoses with skin cancers and melanomas every year.”



Oz anthem, speeches, tears, and GO!

Ready to Ride to Conquer Cancer

It was emotional as we thought of the people we were riding for, those that had fought and lost their battles and those that were still battling on. Cancer survivers riding were identified by their bright yellow flags attached to their bikes. When you felt like giving up, and a bike with a yellow flag powered past you, it definately made you dig deep and keep on riding while every fibre in every muscle was screaming out loud and it felt like your lungs were about to explode! If they can battle cancer and get on their bikes to peddle what eventuated to be 241km, then the rest of us could do it too! I have sooooo much to share with you, but I would hate for you to get bored, so I am going to spread this blog out over the week and share many more pics with you.

So for now, I am Cwa - a Cat with Adventures, this adventure was the Ride to Conquer Cancer and there is so much more to come! Love and Cheshire smiles to you.

Post post: Did I get swept? It was definately longer than I expected and climbs of 1.4k length and 12% gradient - enough to challenge the most athletic cyclist - did I let Carly pack it in at any time, did we let the sweep van pick us up? Keep watching my blog and I'll let you know.