In about 12 hours time, I will be making my way to the SCG – the Sydney Cricket Ground. This will be my personal starting line for my part in the Pedal Cure 4 FightMND charity ride. The actual ride starts in Ungarie, in the Central West region of New South Wales, where we will finish in Essendon (a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria) – just a touch over 735 km. I have decided to make my way out there by bicycle, riding an additional 520 km, rather than boxing up my bike and putting it on a train and/or bus. There, I will meet up with a number of other riders. There will be about three different groups, based on speed. There will be a fast group, a not as fast group (but still pretty fast), and a final group who can take as long as they like – I’ll be in that group!
Last time I attempted to ride to Melbourne, I had to abandon due to a sore knee. I possibly pushed myself a little too hard, or off-bike activities contributed. This time, I’m taking things a little easier. Instead of trying to ride from the SCG to Katoomba on the first day, I’ll only be going as far as Penrith – still an 80 km ride, but it’s relatively flat. On the second day, I’ll be giving myself the full day to take as much time as I like, to get myself up the mountain to Katoomba.
Those that follow me on this blog, Facebook page, Instagram, or Twitter, know how passionate I am about the fight against MND – Motor Neurone Disease (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease). It’s a nasty disease that robs you of your ability to move, talk, and, ultimately, breath. If someone wanted to invent the nastiest of diseases, MND would rate very high on the list. There is no treatment. There is no cure. And life expectancy, from diagnosis is, on average, 18 to 24 months. It is a terminal disease.
Please consider making a donation via my donation page. I have set myself a target of (AUD) $1000 All funds raised go towards FightMND – an Australian charity at the forefront of funding research against MND. Donations of $2, or more, are tax deductible for Aussie taxpayers. But, of course, anyone can donate – and I encourage it. The more donated the better!
And below is the completed route! Apart from a couple of bits (due to rubbish weather, and my legs refusing to move after a rest stop), most of it was completed under my own power.
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