Riding again after Cancer caused a 'pause' in 2024!

This year its personal!

Having ridden in 2021, 22 and 23 I was all set to go again in 2024. And then I wasn't. Diagnised with Colon Cancer weeks before the ride, I spent the ride weekend with a different kind of challenge - having just undergone an ultra-low anterior re-section which resulted in a number of complications, an extended recovery with additional operations, and then living with a temporary ileostomy!

Fortunately, as of early July 2025 I am back to "normal" - cancer free with my ileostomy recently reversed and now working to get back to full fitness and strength - with the ride weekend a great target to work towards!

As a "relatively" young person (can I say that as I am now mid-40s) this last year was somewhat unexpected. However, the rates of bowel cancers are rising in younger people - with many early onset cases occurring below the national screening age of 45. Bowel cancer is the deadliest cancer for Australians aged 25-54. 

I am lucky I had a proactive GP who sent me for additional testing even when the first screening came back negative - but not everyone gets screened, and not everyone is as fortunate as me to be able to have it removed 100% through operations. 

So I am riding to help raise funds for valuable Cancer research into the prevention and cure of cancers such as Bowel Cancer.

The funds I raise will go to the brilliant minds at the Perkins who are committed to finding breakthroughs that will lead to improved health outcomes for those affected by the hardest-to-treat diseases.

On Saturday 11 October and Sunday 12 October 2025, I will pedal alongside my fellow riders who share the dream of making cancer non-lethal. Your support can turn this dream into reality.

Whether you join me on the Ride or contribute to my fundraising page, your generous support matters.

Together, we can conquer cancer.