Kaitlyn turns 8 this Sunday

Kaitlyn, and her family, were made aware of the Tour de Cure by Jay - our greatest Ambassador!

We thank you Yvette and Mark for sharing the following piece of Kaitlyn's journey to her 8th birthday - which is this Sunday.

Here is a family photo Kaitlyn. From left to right, Olivia (kaitlyns sister 5), Kaitlyn (who is 8 on sunday 6th May), Mum, Dad and little brother Mack (1.5 years old) THis was taken last weekend on a Camp Quality outing.

'Kaitlyn was a happy healthy girl. She would get fevers quite a bit, but when presented to the GP it was stated, Does she go to daycare? Well it must just be a virus. So i think we went on for about 6 months like this. She would be good then get a fever for 5 days, come good, and so on. It was a Friday and we went to a park for dinner. She kept saying she had to go to the toilet, but nothing happened. At this time she was refusing to walk. We sat down to eat dinner, and she vomited. I took her to the local hospital and they said possibly appendix, but it was not bad enought to do anything so go home. By the sunday she was screaming, again to the local GP and we were sent to a childrens hospital. From then on it was full on, diagnosis, understanding the cancer, being told about her chemo regine, meeting the oncology ward, and facing our worst fears.

Kaitlyn did not handle the treatment very well, her liver was failing, so they needed to reduce her chemo, she was not eating, hence the need of a nose tube. She lost her hair, but oh did she look gorgeous, the hair was not a issue for us, it was her health we wanted. She was and still is a little trouper, and in that sense i am thankful that her child hood bliss, does mask some of the terrors that us as parents remember.

She is currently 4 years off treatment, but with continuous monitering, we are currently trying to sort out a severe back pain, that is coming and going. Again the fear sets in and the only way that we manage to cope is through prayer.'

www.caringbridge.org/oceania/curlykaitlyn

Thankyou and i will put you on a link on her website too..

We wish you all the very best with your big ride.
Love Yvette and Mark Hidding (and family)

***We will all be celebrating this Sunday for Kaitlyns Birthday. The support team, which includes me, will be celebrating Kaitlyn's birthday with cake. The riders will do it by completing another 100km training ride. Everyone can leave a birthday message on www.caringbridge.org/oceania/curlykaitlyn ******

King 'Kong' Lake

A group of 6 of us headed out on the King 'Kong' Lake loop yesterday morning - 124km's through the hills of the Yarra Valley region of Victoria. Squintsy (named that by his brother back in the day because whenever he smiles, he squints) and I set a cracking pace and before we knew it we had lost 3 riders. 2 of them decided to take another route (which I was glad about as one of them was wearing pink - the pansy!), and the third was too fat and couldn't quite get him- self up the first couple of hills.

So Sqintsy, Tim and I pushed on through the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley. As we decended into a little country town by the name of St. Andrews (about 45km's from Melbourne) we hooked up with a bunch of riders that we often see around the traps of Melbourne. All of these boys were A graders, and were more than happy for the 3 of us to join them. The pace picked up a little, but as we made our way to the base of the King 'Kong' Lake climb I was comfortable and still enjoying the ride.

6 km's is the climb up to King Lake which is a town on top of a mountain. Now when I first rode up to King Lake I was expecting to see a lake (funnily enough), but there is no lake. Just a couple of shops and a great bakery which has fantastic jam doughnuts!

The A graders took off and I sat in behind, being towed up the first section of the hill. No one speciffically called it a race, but with 11 guys on bikes with plenty of ego, no one had too. It was every man for himself, with first prize being braging rights. The pace was fairly consistant over the first kilometre. We were sitting on 23km/h and I was feeling very good. Without any warning, 2 A graders jumped and quickly put 50 metres on the bunch. I was feeling very strong at this stage and thought 'what the hell', so I knuckeled down and caught up to the 2 guys ahead.

For about 2 km's we maintained our pace and kept the main group at bay. If anything we were putting a greater distance between us and them which in all honesty was a great feeling. The three of us charged along and looked very strong coming into the last 2 km's.

We turned a corner and there was a false flat, and one of the A graders geared up, and paced away. It was a very impressive move. I tried to go with him and we droped the other A grader. I wasn't able to keep up with the first guy but I was able to maintain 2nd place.

We got into King Lake and I had finsihed quite strongly. I was able to keep my position which was a great buzz. I rewarded myself with a fantastic Jam doughnut - sure did hit the spot.

After some refreshments we headed home and really cranked up the pace. Squintsy had a flat which meant we had too let the main bunch go and ride home as just the 3 of us. We were all stuffed by the time we had gotten home, but the legs were feeling strong and I'm feeling as though I could've kept going.

The average pace for the ride was 30.4km/h. Top speed of 74km/h.

With less than 5 weeks to go, I'm feeling as though I'm ready to tackle the Tour. Bring it on!!

Let's Ride!!

It has been easy to forget as too why I'm hoping on the bike 5 times a week, at all hours in the morning, clocking up 400 odd km's? I'm the only Melbourne based rider taking part in the Tour, and unfortunately I haven't had the chance to ride with the group. I have had to find my own motivation along the way and I won't lie, it has been tough.

At last Friday's breakfast I was lucky enough to meet a fella whom for the last 8 years has been fighting for his life! Those last 4 words are huge - 'fighting for his life'. Not fighting to climb a hill, not fighting to keep with the bunch, not fighting to take the sprint - but fighting for his life!!

12 year old Jay, who bravely stood in front of a bunch of corporates at the Melbourne breakfast with his mum, was able to have his story told - 'I have Neuroblastoma, it doesn't have me' is his phrase. Jay continues on with life, and harnesses every opportunity that comes his way. He competes in triathlons, which just shows the strength of this 12 year old.

In this boy, I have found enough motivation to climb any damn hill, keep up with any damn bunch and challenge for any damn sprint that comes my way. Jay, and the thousands of children, men and women like him, are fighting for there lives. I, and 22 others, are some of the lucky one's who are able to give our time to helping raise awareness, and funds for cancer through the Tour de Cure. Let's Ride!!

Tour de Cure takes to the races…

You know the tour is gaining incredible momentum when you turn up at Royal Randwick on Anzac Day to find that Race 4 is called “The Tour de Cure” Sprint – a 1400 metre race where the horses run the wrong way round the track (sorry but this bloggist is a Victorian).

It was a day better suited to ducks and ark-builders (and those hardy souls who braved the early deluge for a cheeky 100km morning ride around the shire, certainly earned their all-you-can-eat smorgasbord today!)... A lucky crew of TDC riders, support crew and partners were on hand at Randwick to see Rig’s Duke storm home down the inside – to the delight of owners and connections who had travelled down from Newcastle for the horse’s first outing in the big smoke! In fact the first prize pool of $26k was exactly equal to all the prize money the horse had ever earned! Thankfully, the owners were given some ideas about how to invest their new found wealth… Denver was handing out his personalised TDC pledge cards with instructions on how to donate via the “Pledge to Denver” function on the site…



A big thanks to Craig and Alex Cairnduff for organising the event, and hosting the day. It was a cracking day out! And good luck to (Craig’s) Dad & Dave as they head off tomorrow to drive the route from Brisbane to Sydney – just to make sure all the logistics are planned to final detail! Good on you guys – thanks for the passion! 4 and a bit weeks to go!!

Jay ~ Tour de Cure Champion

I would like to introduce you to Jay.

Jay has a cancer wrapped around his spine. He has had it since he was 5. They can not operate and it is like a ‘time bomb’ inside him as his mum explained to the crowd. It is called Neuroblastoma and it's extremely rare. Jay is the oldest survivor of this form of Cancer and plans to set a new record with every passing year

Jay took the day off to talk at our breakfast. He's one of the toughest kids we have ever met. He is now competing in some small triathalons and loves the bike ride so enjoyed seeing some of the training footage we had to show at the breakfast

His story brought tears to the eyes of most the audience, until he smiled and told us his catch phrase

Choice Hotels as a thankyou offered some night’s accommodation free to Jay and his mum and at the end of the breakfast Sam sat on the floor with him as he told her of where he dreamed of going.

Jay and his mum Bronwyn haven't had a holiday in years. Life's not easy with this disease

Jay really wanted to go to the Gold Coast and go to the theme parks. He quickly followed that with ‘but we can not afford it’.

Since then we have organised the following for his 12th Birthday –
· * Holiday on the Gold Coast / Brisbane
· * Tuesday 22nd – Monday 28th May
* Choice are covering all accommodation 6 nights
* Tour de Cure is flying them up
* Sam will host them (be the driver)
* A friend of the Tour de Cure has donated $200 cash for swimming with the dolphins / expenses
* He loves buses so we are trying to get a friends Mercedes bus to pick them up
* He will now be in Brisbane when we depart so will be there to set off the peleton for the launch of the Tour de Cure on May 28th.

If by any chance anyone has a contact at any of these theme parks could they please help us secure some tickets for Jay and his Mum to:

Dream World + White Water World
Seaworld
Wet’n’Wild
Movie World

If possible we are after 2 adults & 2 kids ticket as we are looking to take another camp quality kid from QLD at the same time. His mum can not go on rides so we will organise another adult to go and help them enjoy the day.

Check out his story

www.JAYSJOURNEY.ORG

The Big Week

Gday all,

I just wanted to share a bit of a personal achievement. And given my technophobia prevents me from successfully blogging anything on TDC website (Posted By the COUGAR), I thought I’d share it with my closer riding pals. Also, this is not shared to brag (much!! J) but rather to say thanks to all of you.

Below is my weekly ride summary: (now Josh has clearly defined for us all that a week is Sunday to Saturday!)

The Big Week

Sun 15 Apr
Wollstonecraft, Palm Beach Manly
Distance 73.2
Average 26.1
Heart Rate BPM 139
Mon 16 Apr
Woll, West Head, Woll
Distance 101.9
Average 24.6
Heart Rate BPM 146
Tues 17 Apr
Woll, Church Point, McCarrs Ck, Waratah Park (home of skippy!), Manly, Taronga, Balmoral (Inc Awaba), Woll
Distance 104.6
Average 26.8
Heart Rate BPM 141
Wed 18 Apr
Woll, Church Point, Palmy, Greenwich, Lane Cove, Woll
Distance 106.2
Average 27.1
Heart Rate BPM 142
Thurs 19 Apr
Woll, Watto bay, Bondi, La Perouse, Cent Pk (Laps), Lane Cove, Greenwich, Woll
Distance 100.7
Average 23.1
Heart Rate BPM 138
Fri 20 Apr
Woll. Church point, Manly, Woll. (coulda done a hunge but client called a meeting!) Woll
Distance 67.1
Average 27.3
Heart Rate BPM 141

Total
Distance 553.7
Average 25.8
Heart Rate Average 141.2

Loey and Cougar on the front of the TDC Peleton

If you had told me last July that in April 07 I’d ride a treadly 553kms in a week BEFORE work, I would have laughed you out of the room. At drinks last night with Wendy from the Prostate Cancer foundation I was also able to point out I am now acutely aware of mine! Indeed, this rider now owns his first tub of chamois cream!. Minty fresh indeed!

So anyway, thanks to all of you for your encouragement, support, advice, sledging etc. and indeed everyone I drafted out there this week. Special thanks to the big man, Denver for being my reliable buddy the whole week from Monday too, and for essentially towing me around the entire Northern beaches. Not only does he set a great pace, but he butters toast and can massage out a knot in your shoulder in less than a minute! (he didn’t want that last fact made public lest a queue forms on the tour!)

So, could it finally be time to update my interests and hobbies on the Zoo website to include “cycling”!??



Cheers,

Words of Wisdom

160km to Mt Tambourine and back

25km of 10 - 12% gradient

27 degree heat

6hrs 10 min in the saddle

3 x GU

3 x Bananas

4Litres of Water

Felt Great the whole way

IT'S ALL ABOUT FOOD AND NUTRITION

Tour de Cure riders grow gills...

Easter Weekend Riding Update- Sydney Edition

Below you’ll see the latest bit of kit that given the Easter Weekend we've had in Sydney, has been added to the sponsorship package for riders.

Wet. WET. Wet. Wet. 4 words to describe the 4 days of Easter in Sydney. However, this didn’t entirely stop most of the TDC crew, and one in particular hardened up and punched out over 350 sodden kilometres – Kate, very impressive! Apparently Kate has taken to eating bowls of rusty nails pre-ride, such is her strength post Easter

FRIDAY
A sizeable crew made up of TDC & friends took off to Palm Beach, slowed by a puncture but nothing drastic. Whilst drifting along the idyllic Palmy, a few sprinkles introduced the rainstorm that was about to strike. Short and sweet fortunately, as a 2nd puncture struck in Whale Beach. The break in the rain was shorter, and the 3rd puncture was changed in constant rain.

This was enough for most as the bulk of the crew headed for the warmth of showers or cafes in Manly, however Marty and Kate roped in Mal and I and we headed for Akuna Bay. Along McCarrs Creek I foolishly commented “It hasn’t rained here at all! Sweet!”.

It started raining within minutes of my comment and continued for the rest of the ride, but the empty roads and team spirit kept the four of us on track to chalk up the first 100km day of the weekend.

SATURDAY.
Bucketing. I didn’t ride, like most people in Sydney. Mal and Kate however took on Pacific Highway and Bobbin Head in TORRENTIAL rain, getting swamped by 6ft waves off truck wheels and it’s alleged that Mal got a Pink Snapper caught in his spokes.

SUNDAY
Gary, Stu, Kate and I headed up to give Gary his first ever taste of the 3 Peaks – Galston Gorge, Berowra Waters and Bobbin Head, - 3 great 3 – 4 km climbs set in forested gorges and rolling farmlands north Sydney. The mist that hung in the crisp morning air gave the farmland an eerie feeling, a bull in a field looked remarkably like a giant lion – I’m still not convinced it wasn’t – and the sunny morning had spirits up. Of course, it then rained at the furthest point from home. But it didn’t hang about and we had fantastic run back down a very quiet Pacific Highway to complete another 100km day

MONDAY
Met at Colluzi Bar at 6, and while Geoff forgot his bike, the rest of us headed south to Waterfall via La Perouse. You would think that we’d figure out after the preceding 3 days that heading to a place called “Waterfall” would be tempting fate, but didn’t cross our minds. Needless to say, water fell. We finished in the sunshine though after around 120km and all headed home to clean the bikes for the 5 days of sunshine that are forecast from the day we go back to work.

Hope you all had a safe and happy Easter, and 7 weeks until the TDC hits the road proper!