Its been some 66 days since my last post and there are now only 19 days to go before the Melbourne Ride to Conquer Cancer 2014. This then will be my last update before the ride itself.
I've been touched by the generosity of everyone who has donated and has allowed me to ride again this year. You all have my sincere thanks. There is still time for those that want to donate.
We're all learning to live in our new reality since my mum's funeral in July. My dad and I are still hanging out on video calls as often as we can (it could be more often if you want Far). He's planning a trip to Denmark next month and has a reunion with his hill walking buddies in November. I'm now able to follow his dog walks on Strava (he's already broken into the top ten times on a few segments of his dog walks - I pity his dog keeping up with him!) He's also planning to visit the highest point of every county in Great Britain once winter is over - this means getting a camper van and taking the dog with him. I think he plans to take mum with him in a secured vase too. I think he's going to be OK - we all want him around for a long time to come.
The statistics speak for themselves, 1 in 2 Australians will contract cancer of some form. Minimise your risk, get regular health checks from a professional. Look after yourselves and those around you. Fund the research.
From a cycling perspective, I'm doing pretty well - although my daughter has asked that I spend at least one day of a training weekend at home rather than riding on Saturday and Sunday. I thought if I got home by midday she wouldn't realise I had been gone. I am of course delighted that my 16 year old daughter wants to spend more time with me. Can't wait to make her listen to all those 80's albums on my original turntable...
The Ride to Conquer Cancer will have me riding for two days on the weekend of October 25 and 26, each ride being over 100km in length (I think my daughter will forgive me this one weekend). Saturday 25 will take us down to the bottom end of the Mornington Penninsula, and then we return again to Melbourne on the Sunday. There will be several thousand riders,with their stories to tell, of friends, family, and their own personal battle.
Thank you for letting me ride again this year.
