When I signed up for the MACA Ride 2026, I thought the challenging part would be the 200km ride itself.

As it turns out, the challenging part started much earlier when I realised I actually had to train for it.

I began training on 20 July 2026, committing to three rides a week and a longer ride every Saturday. Armed with my trusty Giant OCR3 road bike, a healthy amount of optimism, and not nearly enough cycling fitness, I set out on my journey.

One memory still stands out from those early rides.

There was a particular hill on one of my training routes that completely defeated me. Not "slowed me down" defeated. Not "made me uncomfortable" defeated. I mean I got off the bike and walked up the hill while questioning every life decision that had led me to that moment.

At the time, I remember looking at that hill and thinking there was no chance I'd ever ride all the way up.

Fast forward a few weeks, and I finally made it to the top without putting a foot on the ground. It might not sound like much to seasoned cyclists, but for me it was a breakthrough moment. It was tangible proof that consistency works. The hill hadn't changed. I had.

A huge part of that progress has been riding and training alongside Noel Lam and the rest of the Moore Australia team. Having people around you who are equally committed, equally exhausted, and equally willing to talk themselves into another early morning ride makes the journey far more enjoyable.

Well... enjoyable most of the time.

There have been plenty of moments where my legs questioned the plan, my lungs filed formal complaints, and my bike seat launched what felt like an ongoing attack against my wellbeing.

But every ride has brought me one step closer to the goal.

While the 200km challenge is a personal milestone, the bigger purpose behind the ride is supporting cancer research. Although I don't currently have a close personal connection to someone affected by cancer, I know cancer impacts countless individuals and families every day. If spending a few months suffering up hills and accumulating an alarming amount of lycra can help contribute towards life-changing research, then it's a cause worth supporting.

This journey has also become an important part of my own health and fitness goals. It's shown me that progress doesn't happen overnight. It comes from turning up consistently, even when the weather isn't great, when the motivation isn't there, or when your legs are still reminding you about yesterday's ride.

As MACA Ride day approaches, I'm excited, slightly nervous, and trying very hard not to think about exactly how far 200 kilometres really is.

Whatever happens on the day, one thing is certain:

The guy who walked that hill a few weeks ago is very different from the guy getting ready to tackle 200km.

And hopefully, unlike my audit files, this challenge won't require multiple review points before completion.

Wish me luck! 🚴‍♂️💙