It’s been just over two weeks, since I completed my bicycle ride from Spotless Stadium, in Sydney, to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), in Melbourne. My Cycle Against the Beast ride was in support of FightMND, which is the public face of the Cure for MND Foundation. In the last two weeks, I’ve spent some time in Geelong, with family, and also managed to pick up a pretty bad cold. 🙂 I’m also now back at work, looking forward to my next long ride – whenever that will be!
Original route:
Despite my positiveness, leading up to it, I did have my doubts. Even during my ride, I had my doubts – particularly, on the fifth day, when I threw in the towel by not completing the day’s distance. But after a couple of rest days, I was back on the road again. There were some very cold mornings, of which I hadn’t experienced for quite some time. Not since my four years living in Manchester, ten years ago, did I have to deal with such cold temperatures.
After completing my ride, I’ve come to realise that I love cycling some pretty decent distances. Now, while I was cycling in support of FightMND, it was also to find out whether I actually like cycle touring. Even though, on this occasion, I didn’t camp out, carry a tent or sleeping bag – rather, I stayed in motels instead – those are things that I definitely love. I look forward to combining the two together.
Actual route:
However, at the end of the day, the primary reason was to raise funds and awareness for FightMND. MND (Motor Neurone Disease), also known as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a nasty disease. Those diagnosed progressively lose the ability to walk, talk, feed themselves, swallow, and ultimately breathe. As a result, it is a terminal disease. In Australia, at least two people are diagnosed with MND every day. Also, at least two people die from it every day. There is no cure.
Donations can still be made, on my fundraising page, up until the 30th of September, 2017. However, if you’re an Australian taxpayer, keep in mind that any donation of $2, and over, are tax deductible. Now is your chance to make a donation before the end of the financial year. You would need to make your donation by the 30th of June, if you wish to claim on this year’s tax return.
Leave a Reply