things to know
When is the Ride?
The 2024 MACA Cancer 200 Ride for Research will be held on Saturday 12 October and Sunday 13 October 2024.
How far is the Ride?
Your ride is a total of 200kms, or apporoximately 100kms each day on your Ride weekend.
More information on the route will be revealed closer to the date of the Ride.
How can I support my rider on the ride?
We welcome family supporters and well-wishers. You can cheer riders on at the start and finish lines both at Optus Stadium and Hall Park in Mandurah.
Rider safety is our chief concern. You cannot follow behind riders at slow pace and you must abide road rules.
However you can keep track of your rider via your phone with Android Google maps and Apple family location sharing services across the event weekend. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin to keep informed!
How do I volunteer for the event?
Being a volunteer is an important role. Volunteers help behind the scenes, helping riders stay positive and keep the participants going with their cheerful support!
If you’d like to be a part of the MACA Cancer 200 Ride, have a look at our Volunteers page here, or please email volunteer@perkins.org.au
The more the merrier, so get your friends and family involved!
What about COVID-19?
Currently there are no COVID-19 directives in Western Australia.
However our main priority is to mitigate any risks to you and strongly encourage the following measures to protect yourselves and other riders.
- Stay up to date with both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
- Get tested if you feel unwell in the lead up to the Ride, including if it has been 28 days since you recovered from a previous incidence of COVID-19.
- Keep up good hygiene habits such as washing and santising your hands regularly on the Ride weekend.
- If you feel unwell during the Ride weekend, consider wearing a face mask in enclosed spaces or when social distancing isn't possible.
For all the latest news and advice click HERE.
Can I talk to the Perkins team?
For sure! If you've got questions we haven't answered here, email the team at ride@perkins.org.au or call on 08 6151 0776.
What is a "Dollar Match" and how does it work?
Dollar Match
Thanks to the Ride’s incredibly generous title sponsor MACA, sponsor Thiess and event partner Woodside to support your fundraising efforts, we’re able to run the dollar match days.
This is a great way to promote the good work of the Perkins, the Ride and your awesome fundraising efforts. The Dollar Match incentive is for the shared benefit of individuals, teams and the riders’ overall fundraising campaign.
Imagine if all our riders sent 50 messages each to their supporters- that’s over 50,000 people who know a little more about the importance of medical research at the Perkins.
What is a Dollar Match?
On a predetermined day, at an advertised time and onwards, all donations are matched up to the promoted total amount.
For example our June dollar match is around $100,000. This includes donations made by you and by your supporters to your fundraising page.
These donations can be made to individuals and teams alike, but large corporate donations above the capped values will not be matched on this day.
Additionally (EFT) Electronic Funds Transfer donations are unable to be matched as these are offline donations.
How a Dollar Match Works
Lets say the dollar match starts at 10:00am on the designated day. For that day all donations made to participants (including self-donations) will be matched until the total allocation is exhausted. For example, donations up to a capped promotional donation value of $100 will be matched on the day, you can donate as many times as you like but only the first $100 of every donation will be matched. Another example would be a capped promotional donation value amount of $500, every individual donation up to $500 will be matched – in all scenarios all donations will be match up until the total dollar match allocation (June example $100,000) has been exhausted.
Important things to note:
- Do not jump onto your fundraising page early on dollar match days. You will not be matched. The dollar match website configuration is automatically switched on at, for example, 10.00am. So, if you start the donation process at 9.59am (or before), your donation will go through the system but will not be matched.
- We cannot refund donations that missed out because the dollar match was exhausted. These dollar match days are a welcomed addition to the event, thanks to the incredible generosity of MACA, Woodside and other generous sponsors. Additionally, we cannot guarantee you will be matched. That is up to good timing, good luck and how fast the allocation runs out.
- Allocations do not last long. They can be exhausted in as little as minutes or last for over half an hour. Whatever the duration, it’s best to get in early (but not before the advertised time)
- We are a very small team so please be patient. We will try to answer your questions in a timely manner, please understand we cannot allocate match day donations once the promotional value has been exhausted.
How Many Dollar Matches are there?
Depending on the amount we have available to match, there are usually two to three.
When Do They Occur?
You can expect a dollar match before the end of financial year and close to the actual day of the ride. There may be others but we will only let you know on the day. The best way to keep up to date on Dollar Match days is to opt into the Ride communications and follow our social media accounts.
Why Don’t You Let Us Know Exactly When They Are Happening In Advance?
We do, but we can only share the news in the few hours. These dollar matches run out quickly and with a finite amount to match, it’s important not to rely on them to get you across the line. Given they go so fast, if people are waiting for a dollar match to complete their fundraising, they may miss out.
How Can I Stay Informed Of An Upcoming Dollar Match?
We send out emails and SMSs in the hours leading up to dollar match day and we promote them on the ride socials – both Facebook and Instagram.
How Do I Know If I’ve Been Matched?
Once you’ve donated, you will see a second donation with an icon appear on your fundraising page that will either have the MACA, Woodside or sponsors logo to let you know that your gift was matched.
How Many Donations Can I Get?
That depends on what the capped promotional donation value is for that day. For example, if all donations of $100 or less are to be matched, you can donate as many times as you like but only the first $100 of every donation will be matched and only until the total dollar match allocation has been exhausted.
Good Luck!
Training
200km is a long way. Will I be able to ride that far?
The Ride is not a race. You are encouraged to take it at your own pace as people of all abilities and fitness levels take part.
Rest stops and some cheering from our volunteers and your family will get you over the line.
A little training and preparation and you can do it!
I’ve never ridden that far. Should I train?
We encourage you to train for the MACA Cancer 200 because it’s a tough distance – but you’re tougher. Why not boost your fitness!
Read our training page with tips and guides to help you go from couch to cycle legend here.
How do I log my kilometres on my fundraising page with my device or manually?
Download our " How to log your kms guide" here.
Your profile page includes your personal distance tally so you can track your distance towards your target. This is a great way to keep your friends updated on your workouts!
If you track your workouts with Fitbit, MapMyFitness or Strava your distances will automatically add to your tally.
Follow these steps to track your KMs automatically:
1. Download the Fitbit, Strava or MapMyFitness app and set up your account
2. Log in to your MACA Cancer 200 account.
3. Under the heading ‘Connect your preferred Fitness app’, click your chosen app.
4. Follow the prompts to connect your account
5. When you next work out, select ‘start your workout’ in the app on your phone. Once you end your workout, save your workout and your distance will be published to the tally on your page the following day.
If you have synced your app already but it is not working, please log in and re-connect it.
When using Fitbit, you must ‘start’ an activity and save it. Your daily steps will not automatically add to your page. If you are having issues, try syncing through BOTH your Fitbit and the Fitbit app on your smartphone.
When using MapMyFitness, you must ‘start’ your workout, ‘stop’ your workout and then ‘SAVE’ your workout.
Your tally will be updated each day with the previous day’s distances.
Remember, you can manually add your kilometres to the tally in your My Fitness Activity tab of your profile after registering. This is a great option if you’re using a pedometer or a different method of tracking your distances.
Follow these steps to manually add your KMs:
1. Log in to your account and select ‘My Fitness Activity’
2. Under ‘Add activity’, enter the date and distance
3. The number of kms will now appear on your fundraising page!
ride weekend
Will there be a challenge route?
Yes! Like 2023, there will be a challenge route for the super keen cyclists. It will be hilly and it will be hard but that's why it is there, right?
Head to The Route page and to check out the Route.
When can I get my rider pack?
More information will be become available, closer to the date.
What time do I need to be at Optus Stadium on Day One?
Roads around the Stadium will be very busy with riders and supporters coming in, so aim to be on ground at Optus Stadium from 5am.
This will give you enough time to pick up your bike, grab a caffeine hit (if needed) and get into your waves by 6.25am.
The opening ceremony starts at 6.30am and we ride at 7am!
Is there support along the ride route?
Yes! Traffic management, food and drink stops, toilets, bike mechanics, cheering stations and first aid are all provided along the route free of charge to help get you to the finish line safely and with a smile! ?
We have dedicated teams making sure you are well looked after across the whole weekend.
What about my bike?
Your bike will be looked after when you are not pushing the pedals.
Drop it off the Friday 11 October at Optus Stadium in our secure parking to speed up your Ride takeoff.
We do recommend checking that your bike is up to speed before you head out - 200kms is tough, but it's much tougher with a flat tyre!
Don't forget to service your bike before the Ride, and bring a pump and spare inner tube just in case on the weekend.
Can my family and friends join me in Mandurah?
We would love to see your family and friends at the Mandurah camp to cheer you across the Day One finish line!
They are welcome to relax and celebrate with you at the Handle Bar (but they will need to purchase their own drinks) in the afternoon.
However, due to capacity limitations, we do kindly advise that dinner and the Saturday Night Celebration starting at 6pm is for riders only.
Where do we sleep?
We provide 1 tent per person (but you can share and dont forget to book it!), hot showers, toilets, amazing catering and there's a bar, the "HANDLE BAR" to be exact. We organise transport for all your camping equipment and personal belongings. It is best experience and the best way to get the most out of all of your hard work and effort.
We do understand, however, that camping is not possible for everyone and there are many nearby accommodation options. If you do decide to sleep off site, you are more than welcome to leave your bike in the secure facilities at Hall Park overnight.
What if I get injured?
We hope you don't, but accident do happen. For emergencies call 000.
For other incidents please contact our dedicated team and Ride Control on 0488 773 822.
The Perkins is not liable for personal injuries sustained while participating in the event.
Lost items
Was your pack feeling a little lighter on Sunday afternoon? If you have lost an item let the Ride team know and we'll keep an eye out for it.
Also make sure you are following the MACA Cancer 200 Facebook page as we'll let you know there if we've found any items.
How old do I have to be to ride?
You have to be 16 years of age or over on the Saturday 12th October 2024.
The Perkins
What is the Perkins?
The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, commonly known as the Perkins, is the largest medical research institute in WA working on diseases that most affect our families including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and rare genetic diseases.
With over 400 researchers and trial staff located alongside three hospital campuses, the Perkins is uniquely positioned to fast track the development of new discoveries and treatments. Researchers at the Perkins are driven to find new ways of diagnosing and treating cancer – particularly those with poor prognosis.
By collaborating with world-class doctors, researchers, scientists and clinicians, the Perkins can push discoveries at the laboratory bench top to the bedside with greater efficiency. Research at the Perkins has led to effective programs in disease prevention and has made a real impact on people’s lives in WA and beyond.
We are proudly West Australian and support research dollars staying within the state with 100% of your donations coming to the Perkins.
Where do my donations go?
The Perkins owns and operates both events so all costs are kept to a minimum and are managed with a commitment to maximising research funding without compromising rider experience. All profits from the ride go directly back into supporting cancer researchers at the Perkins. Funds are untied which means that they can be allocated to the cancer lab with the greatest need. This is our preferred way of distributing donations as it provides flexibility and agility. With only one in ten research grants being successful due to the volume of submissions, untied funds are often life-lines for researchers.
Where is the Perkins?
The Perkins presently has three locations in Perth that equally support what we do – the first is our main facility located at the QEII Medical Centre in Nedlands.
The second facility is located adjacent to Fiona Stanley Hospital and we also have a centre at Royal Perth Hospital.
We are always keen to show our supporters around our Nedlands facility so you can experience what the Perkins is all about and equally see your donations at work. Please contact us if you would like to arrange a tour.
What other events does the Perkins organise?
The Perkins runs events throughout the year. Our other fundraising challenge events include the Walk for Women’s Cancer.
We also support fundraisers in the community who wish to design their own event to raise funds for research.
Additionally, we conduct community Q&A sessions and seminars, morning teas and labratory tours with the added experience of an Open Day every second year. You can find out more about our events at perkins.org.au
