Eating their way to Sydney

Well the riding has come to an end for 2008, and a fantastic job by all involved to make it to Sydney in one piece. I know many of the guys and girls had to dig deep, especially on the hills. As the dietitian on tour I can appreciate the effort it took to get from Melbourne to Sydney in just nine days.

1200km with a total hill climb that adds up to more than climbing Everest. The riders each burnt an average of 14,000 kilojoules a day, and that’s just the part of the day spent in the saddle! Each day they also sweated out 5 litres of fluid. No wonder I spent most of the day telling them to eat and drink more.

And eat and drink they did. In a single morning (not including breakfast and lunch) the team went through 30 cereal bars, 18 coffees, 38 muffins, 13 bananas, 14 packs of lollies, 40 Gu sachets, and 49 litres of fluid. In this regard I have to say an enormous thank you to the girls from Canadian Kitchen for their fantastic catering - their passion for the tour matches that of everyone else involved. Thank you also to Kelloggs and Powerade who generously donated food and drinks. Without these contributions an event like this wouldn’t be possible.


As a sports dietitian, I can't tell you how good it is to work with such a motivated group of athletes as the Tour de Cure team. Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn was far beyond what I see in professional sporting teams, and is a credit to the commitment and passion they share for the tour and everything it stands for. It is difficult for the average punter to comprehend what these guys have put their bodies through over the last few months. For a group who normally only get to ride a couple of days a week to back up 9 days in a row, many of them the longest distance they’d ever done in a single day, is nothing short of inspirational.


Congratulations to all involved with the Tour de Cure. It was a fantastic week for me to be involved with such a great cause. I hope the donations continue to come in thick and fast, and you smash your targets. I hope you also learnt plenty about how your bodies work, and can take that back with you to your everyday cycling.







Until next year,
Alan McCubbin – Sports Dietitian, Recover Sports Medicine http://www.recoversportsmed.com.au/

Andrew (CSC) Thanks

CSC (my employer) became involved in Tour de Cure not long before the tour began, so the other CSC Vic BUG people and I had a week before the Melbourne launch to take up the opportunity to do a day's ride with the Tour de Cure.

It was obvious to me that the Tour de Cure riders had been planning and training for the ride for months, and had been serious about arranging the significant corporate sponsorship and their individual donations. I was left pleased to be representing one of the significant corporate sponsors - CSC, but conscious that I hadn't had to work on that part of the overall effort like the others, which is important for something like cancer that tends to touch so many of us when we least expect it.

So this is about my impressions of the way it worked - not so much the history of the day which was blogged by someone else right after the finish of the day's ride.

The organization was superb. Geoff on the road had safety and efficiency working really well, and Sam at all the stops had the arrangements and our movements planned. She had a great roster for the teams of riders at the end of each day, that seemed to give small but necessary tasks out for the smooth running of each overnight stop. The food from the mobile catering truck (Canadian Kitchens) was more than plentiful, tasty and highly nutritious. The porridge at the first of the two(!) breakfasts for the day was excellent, and the beef, beans and rice at lunch was also great!

The bike mechanics (Alex and Tricky Ricky) from King of the Mountain Cyclery were amazing. I had turned up on one of my sons' old Cadex road bike, and they gave it a check before I rode for the day. Their quick comment about the need for adjustment of handlebars and not needing to raise the seat were proved absolutely correct and left me comfortable and not sore at all at the end of the day. When I had a problem with my front derailleur, Alex's diagnosis took less a second or two, and his adjustment took under a minute. I could have done the same at home myself and maybe not got it right after an hour's fiddling! When people had flats they were fixed in a couple of minutes, and the two mechanics "towed" the rider back to the bunch whilst we slowed to maybe 20km/h. When Jack (my 15yo son, who was filling the 2nd CSC spot on the day) started to tire late in the ride they towed him back to the bunch a couple of times too. They were changing tyres for some others, and the occasional slowing for them to rejoin was never irritating - just a reasonable rest, and all the easier to chat to the other riders. This support from the King of the Mountain Cyclery mechanics was something that made the whole ride just work properly.

We cycled at a reasonably quick average pace - about 30 to 32 km/h on the bike computer average whilst moving, but quite often over 40 for some sections on the mostly flat terrain in the Latrobe Valley. For safety we needed to stay together as a group, and pushed on together in the afternoon as the Tour de Cure had a media appointment to keep on arrival in Traralgon. And media is important, when a focus of the event is fundraising.

I had not done a lot of bunch riding before and was impressed with the attention and correctness displayed by the group in communicating with hand signals and a small number of arranged shouted warnings to ensure safety. Many of those from Sydney had been doing extensive training for the tour - several averaging 500-600km/week for the couple of months leading up to the tour. I ride either 30 or 40 km each way to work most days, but feel I would want to do a few more longer rides in the lead up if doing the full distance.

It was a good experience for the day, and we would like to have stayed for the evening's Cateogry Jersey presentation and dinner, but had to catch a train back to Melbourne. As Jack commented on the way home, "Everyone there was just so nice to be around". I'd think that knowing about this level of support and structure would make people compete to be involved in the future.
My dad (who did a couple of Around the Bay rides with me) died of cancer in early 2006, my father-in-law found he had prostate cancer a couple of months ago, and I went to a funeral on the Friday afternoon of the ride (day 5) for my next door neighbour Lou, a really nice old guy who lost his battle to cancer the previous weekend.

I don't think I am special in how cancer has touched me though, having seen the enthusiasm on Tour de Cure. It's not just some people out for an adventure - they are working at doing something good too...and finding a cure!

If you would like to make a donation to help this great cause please click on the link below. They are trying to reach $550,000 to go towards helping...

Men with cancer via the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia
Funds from Tour de Cure in 2008 will enable the convenor of each of the 73 Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia support groups, and their carer, to attend PCFA's inaugural national conference "Supporting Quality of Life for Men with Prostate Cancer" to be held on the Gold Coast over the 16th and 17th of November 2008. This conference will NOW bring together representatives of PCFA support groups from across Australia for the very FIRST TIME with some of the world's most respected authorities on the disease. It was Tour de Cure's 2007 donation that funded the national conference initiative. The initiative aims to create a forum of learning and education that will further work to find a cure.

Women with cancer via the National Breast Cancer Foundation
Money raised by the 2008 Tour de Cure is going towards sponsoring the 'Easie Evie' Robot throughout 2009. The 'Easie Evie' Robot can do in one hour what use to take 10 scientists two weeks and is the latest in breast tissue research and analysis. Through this the NBCF aims to identify better methods of detection and improved treatments for breast cancer sufferers, to improve survival rates and ultimately to work towards finding a cure for breast cancer.

Children with cancer via Camp Quality
A National Camp!!
The funds raised from the 2008 Tour de Cure will go towards the creation and implementation of a National Camp for children and their companions suffering with cancer.
This Camp will see children from all across Australia come together to experience the time of their lives! The destination for the 2009 Tour de Cure National Camp is a big secret!
The last national Camp was held in December 2006 and delivered laughter to
411 children and their companions.

CSC and Tour de Cure are on the rode to finding a cure for cancer!

cheers, Andrew Lavery (CSC Corporate Rider)

TDC 08' Reflection

This is the email that i sent to the members of the 2008 Tour de Cure. I thought it would be great to share with the entire TDC family a few of the highlights as well as a few special thank you's.

I'd like to take the chance to thank everyone involved in the 2008 Tour de Cure for an amazing experience. Coming into the tour as a relative unknown I was instantly accepted and I cannot thank you all enough for making me feel so welcome. The Tour is an experience that has definitely changed my life. Not only has it put things into perspective but it has given me a greater appreciation for the good people in the world (that's all of you). The final couple of days allowed me to think a bit about what the Tour represents and what the outcomes were. Although the fundraising outcomes were nothing short of spectacular, there were a couple of highlights that really showed the effect that the Tour has had on people.
Bowling and Putt Putt with the Camp Quality Kids was for me close to the best part of the Tour. What really hit home was that unless you asked, you couldn't tell who the effected children were. They all had the same great attitudes and zest for life and deserved to be here just as much as the next kid. I think we have all been given a great lesson in life by these kids, that no matter how bad things may seem, you are only as happy or as sad as you choose to be.
However, it wasn't just the kids that made the tour special. There are a few people who deserve special thanks.
Firstly to James, David and Unit. Thank you all for so publicly sharing your stories. You are the real reasons for the Tour and are what gave me inspiration during the though times. It takes a strong person to get up in front of a crowd and share what is a very personal story and I will never forget those moments. I feel honored to have been a part of your Tour de Cure and am proud to call you all friends.
Secondly to the riders who toiled through the toughest of days. Coming into the tour with a very abbreviated training lead up I personally felt the wrath of both Victoria's and NSW hills. Although I neatly hid my pain under my cool, calm and collected exterior, there were many times where I was most definitely in the hurt basket. Saying that, there were many other riders that did it a lot tougher than me. There were days that riders were forced to dig deep and it was these moments that provided inspiration for the rest of us to keep pushing on.
Thirdly to the support team. You guys are what makes the Tour what it is. Without your incredible efforts we would still be somewhere in Victoria with no money in the bank, no direction and frozen to the bone.
If someone were to ask me what the hardest job on Tour was I'd definitely have to say a support team member. While us riders had all the cycling to do (with sore legs and bums to show for it), the support crew had all the thinking to do (with blank faces and massive yawns to show for it). I was very happy to get to bed at the end of every day, while I knew that the support crew still had many late night hours ahead of them to ensure that when we woke up everything was ready to go.
Yesterday someone asked me how we all came together to form the Tour and it got me to thinking about the common link between everyone. While Gary, Geoff and Sam were the Tour founders, somewhere along the line each member of the Tour decided to give a piece of themselves to the cause. As Gary put it, Coming together is a Challenge, Working together is an Achievement, Staying together is Success. (sorry if I misquoted) The success of the Tour has really relied on each and every member and the results are a testament to the type of people involved. After some consideration I answered the initial question of the common link with that the Tour attracts a certain type of person. While we all have very different jobs, lives and personalities, we all share the desire to change the lives of those less fortunate than us. Its no wonder we all got along so well when you consider that the foundations on which we base our lives are the same. I feel absolutely honored to have been a part of the 2008 Tour and to have shared the experience with such a high caliber of person.
All that remains is to look forward to the upcoming TDC events with anticipation of a reunion with all of the out of state (and country) members.

Best Wishes to you all,
Garrick Transell
Proud to be a 2008 Tour de Cure Member

TDC 2008 AWARDS

What a Tour...........So many highlights, memories and outstanding performances by the TDC team (Riders, Support, family and friends)

Celebrating our success and recognising individuals and the Team of the Tour was no easy task. Each and every TDC'r raised the bar in 2008! As we sit on $473,843 on our target of $550,000 the Tour de Cure has raised $877,000 in just over 11 months. WOW! Our first Tour began May 28th 2007................It is humbling to have such support from those directly involved, our corporate partners and each and every donor out there who has believed in what we are doing and financially committed to help find a cure for cancer.

The 2008 Tour de Cure Category Jersey Winners are:

Yellow – Phil Mouret (Team CSC)

Pink – James Buttelman (Team Boost Mobile)

Blue – David Campbell (Team Ella Bache)

Polka Dot – Alex Malone (Team Ella Bache)

Congratulations guys! We hope you will all be back in 2009 to defend your jersey!




The 2008 Tour de Cure Team of the Tour
TDC Team of the Tour is judged on the following criteria where teams were ranked 1 – 7
• Fundraising as an average per team member
• Fundraising on tour
• Team work & spirit of the tour
• Above and Beyonds (postcards nightly / rider etiquette / initiatives of PUP / PR & Ideas of Gary)
• Riding on Tour

THE 2008 TEAM OF THE TOUR is:

Team O’Sullivan Pullini

Lead by
* Amy Copcutt
And team includes
• Garren Cronin
• Gary Bertwistle
• Malcolm Heath
• Tom Hogbin (Pup)

Team O’Sullivan Pullini was a clear cut winner thanks to their incredible dedication to each of the judging criteria which directly reflect the values of the Tour de Cure. Congratulations guys! We hope you will all be back in 2009 to defend your title!

Phenominal result for 2nd place = three way tie between
• Team Icap
• Team CSC
• Team Boost Mobile

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed people can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Uncle Pup

FINALLY!

We in the Hogbin family only had to wait an extra 8 days, but I can very happily announce the arrival of my first nephew-

Baxter James was born at 11:36am and weighed in at 3.53kg

After all my belief and willing for the birth to occur whilst on Tour, Pup is now an uncle!
Woohoo!
I'll be up to visit the newest edition of the Hogbin clan on Anzac day and will be sure to give him the right advice on sporting equipment... Cannondale all way!

(Uncle) Pup

Video Blog Day 2 - Delayed

DAY 9 - WOLLONGONG to SYDNEY

Our final day and the weather appeared to have finally caught up with us! It rained through the night and none of us could really complain seeing as the last 8 days had been almost perfect! Who would have thought on the day we left Melbourne and they had the worst storms in decades that we could miss that all together and even benefit from the tail wind on our longest day. I would like to think it was Karma helping the Tour de Cure

Our traditional final dinner in Wollongong was celebrated with family and friends, sharing stories about the incredible journey we had had these past 9 days. The Max and Amy slide show had mouths agape and tears streaming from riders and loved ones. The friendships formed over the 1137km already ridden will live on long after the final pedal is turned in to Fox Studio's. We had some amazing stories shared with us on this trip from those close to us and those we touched. To quote Drew McAlister’s song (which we sang loud and with a tear in our eye on our final night) "it's the thought of you that drives me on" " no matter where the road may lead".............Not a truer word spoken!

As usual our fantastic caterers "Canadian Kitchens" (canadian_kitchens@bigpond.com) severed up a treat for our final push in to Sydney. With only 112km to ride today the girls spoilt us with Bacon and Eggs on muffins on top of our usual 3 course breakfast buffet. It is going to be strange waking up to no CK smiles and coffee being handed to you hot and ready to strengthen our tired bodies.

I was honoured to again wear the Yellow Jersey on the final day in to Sydney. Pulling on the yellow jersey was like pulling on a superman outfit. Ready to leap tall buildings (Stanwell tops) at a single bound.........I am sure Andrew in the Pink Jersey, Sam in the Blue jersey and Tom in Polka Dot Jersey felt exactly the same way.

A final briefing and a quick thank you to Mary at the Comfort Inn Fairways who not only hosted all 38 riders/crew but our families and our final dinner. With 8 days of safe riding behind us my focus was on getting all 36 riders and crew to Sydney in one piece. I must apologise to those who I barked at on this tour, my comments were only made out off concern for everyone's safety.
















A big thanks to Sky Dive the Beach who kindly donated two midweek jumps over Wollongong to help the Tour de Cure fund raising. www.skydivethebeach.com.au
I did the jump a couple of months ago and can highly recommend the thrill!
















Wollongong to Sydney certainly rates as one of the prettiest rides we did. The suspension bridge south of Stanwell Tops is a must see for visitors to Sydney. Not quite the Great Ocean Road but still a stunning view of the coast line. I will post a couple of pictures which Anthony from pearsephotography.com.au took when they come in. Seeing Ant perched on the top railing of the suspension bridge as we snaked towards him was a sight. The winds where strong and his balance looked precarious at best.


Final King of the Mountain Points were eagerly fought out on road to the Stanwell Tops. A 1.4km climb at approx 15% grade was the final category points for the 08 King of the Mountain! Mike Bolt showed that his 8 days of sand bagging in the bunch had left him in good shape for this final attempt. Loey (Cough cough how sick am I REALLY) showed that 65kg's climbs much better than the Units 84kgs. Now I was not there for the finish but I was told that Alex Malone (AKA WonderBOY) looked comfortable as he held off a late charging Mike Bolt and ever present Garren Cronin. His fellow KOM Shop mechanic RICKSTER (also 60kg's if a kilo more) came in 4th to Loeys commendable 5th (or 3rd if you don't count the 2 semi professional riders). Nice work Alex........KOM champion for 2008

A delicious final lunch atop Stanwell Cliffs with soaring hang gliders and a meat buffet fit for a king got the TDC crew ready for the final ride in to Sydney. Steven Lo joined us and with the GPS telling us we had 22km to Bundeena for the Ferry we gave ourselves 75mins to ride the 22km and enjoy the scenery. The road in to the national park was one of the best................ until we passed a sign at the bottom of our climb telling us there was 23km to Bundeena. A quick check of the clock and it was 12.17 and we had to be at Bundeena for the 1pm ferry............YIKES! The bunch had split on the decent in to the national Park and the gap only increased as those feeling strong after 8 days and 1175km climbed easily whilst others found the going tough. I had to share this photo with you. To me it typifies the Tour de Cure Spirit, values and commitment fight to find a cure for Cancer!

This picture was taken on day 6 but exact same image could be seen by SAM and Robyn in the support car as the TDC family pulled together to help those struggling to reach the top of the climb and make up time to the lead bunch as we all sprinted to make the Bundeena ferry in time. I am pleased to say that we made it with just minutes to spare. Nice work Josh, Alex, Denzel and Garrick!

Thanks to Bass and Flinders Ferries who kindly donated out Ferry trip to Cronulla.

A quick coffee in Cronulla and some eager fundraising by PUP who may have found a golden source and we were almost home.



A drop in to Sydney City Lexus to say thanks for their continued support of the Tour de Cure and the Camp Quality Yellow Jersey and we were ready to finish this amazing journey. Mark Ferguson pulled out the big guns and organised a news crew to film our welcome home..................The streets were lined with family and friends, banners and blow horns, tears and hugs as rode in to Fox Studio's. It was great to be home!



Stay tuned for the final Awards BLOG...........Will be posted tomorrow!


Cougar............Signing out for 08!