I’M RIDING IN CELEBRATION OF My Daughter, Ashleigh Pyke (Ellis)

A few years ago now, our lovely daughter had a cancer scare which had a profound impact on my view of the importance of family. I was lucky enough to be working for an amazing private company GBF Mining Company (Mick and Ross) who supported my family and I through that ordeal. We live in Kalgoorlie and the treatment was in Perth at St John of God. It was a tricky time travelling between the two locations and balancing family and work. Our extended family and friends were amazing. The medical teams involved were angels sent from heaven. And it was just after our daughter recovered that I became aware of the Cancer fund raising ride. So I bought a bike and have not stopped riding since then. I never thought cycling would become such a big part of my life and now each year I look forward to the weekend when we all get back together for such a great cause. And each year, there is always a special moment. Could be when you see a rider you met from years gone past. Or it could be a rider who has made an incredible effort to complete the ride. This year's moment is a very special one. Someone important to our MLG team is not with us this year. Each of us, in our own way will remember this person on the ride and hope that this person is looking down on us and smiles knowing that we will not forget them and that we all ride in their memory for creating such an amazing team and opportunity to raise money for a worthy cause.