It was tougher at times than I expected, and easier at others, which was / is really odd in itself. I was never completely sure about my own abilities, nor my general health's disposition to see me through... A year or so ago, I was a much faster Rider than I am now, and although I did not find myself Riding around Australia, (20,000km in 200 Days), I have now actually ridden in excess of 23,500km from 327 Rides which includes over 19,000m in elevation... No bloody wonder I am a tad sore... I suppose...
Anyways, although I managed to complete the RIDE part, I failed miserably at raising much in the way of the 25k Target I set for us... We are in fact just shy of even achieving 20% of that effort, (& that's before expenses sadly...)
Nevertheless, my non-celebrity butt did manage to spread some much needed MPN Awareness here in the antipodes, even if not much was raised for research, this time around... Naturally, I will just keep trying & chipping away in any event...
Thank you to everyone who wished me / us well, or supported us financially or otherwise with this first event, (that has taken over 18 months to see come to fruition, & that in itself took something extraordinary, in my view...)
Hopefully, I will try to come up with something better again for my next attempt...
*WATCH THIS SPACE*
Thank you all...
Best wishes from Steve & MPN-MATE RF
PS. Anyone wishing to Donate any amount please use this Link to find our Banking details below:
A massive "well done" to you and everyone involved. I can only begin to guess at the huge amount of planning etc involved in a project like this.Time for a well earned rest!
Yes, there was a tad of planning involved, and many false starts here 'Down-Under' as first we had serious droughts & fatal bush-fires, followed by some flooding, followed by CV-19, and then most recently... some of the biggest floods even seen in coastal New South Wales (NSW). Planning originally commenced a year & a half ago. Many things changed, out of necessity & eventually we were finally underway...
Very nice to have completed the task... Created some MPN Awareness; Rode c. 600km in 5 Days, but unfortunately did not even get close to the funds I was targeting for MPN Research 25k. Thus far, we are just shy of 20% of that figure...
However, we are still accepting Donations of course...
Heartiest Congratulations Steve and to all your team for a really heroic effort ! And Thank You! All of us with MPNs are so appreciative of your efforts to raise awareness of our shared condition - not an easy one to sell I’m sure. The pics looked great! Hope you can take time now to recover and enjoy some well-deserved down time!👏💪🏾👍😆Take care!
Yes, last few 'Non-riding Days' have been most welcome... But went out again today for a shorter cruise... Beautiful sunshine here today & I just couldn't resist...
But yes, much shorter Rides will be the order of the day now for some weeks, I am certain!
Thanks, yes there was an abundance of great scenic vistas everywhere but sadly most of it not able to be captured by the lens, as I rode through most of it... Although there are a few more on the Links above, if you'd love an awesome sunset over Port Macquarie eg?
Hopefully, this will grow in time, from strength to strength... Much more MPN Research is needed, and there are far too few MPN Specialists, (particularly here 'Down-Under'), something I hope we can be a catalyst to improve the status quo... in time...
Yes, the Big RIDE is now complete, and I am starting my much-needed recovery ... Just shorter Rides over the next few weeks as I slowly rebuild my constitution etc...
Stay safe & well buddy & thanks for your encouraging words ...
Hi Steve, many congratulations on completing your cycle 👏👏& your amazing perseverance 🤗. I hope you plan on taking it easy now for a few days at least & that you are enjoying your very well deserved rest 😊
Well done Steve, it took real courage and determination to do what you did and, whilst you weren't able to raise as much money for research as you hoped to, you will have helped put MPN "on the map" and raised awareness of it. You will be quite exhausted and battered by your efforts on the bike, and I hope you can take some time off to relax and have a well earned break!
I hope all is well in your world Peter, and you two are staying safe & well...
Thank you for your fine compliments... But yes alas... I am no one of any significance, and it seems that unless one has the benefits of a celebrity status, (or a major commercial network), on one's side... well then one fades into mediocrity or obscurity w/ one's efforts...
C'est la vie buddy...
However, and as you quite rightly point out, there was a little MPN Awareness along the way, and hopefully this is just the first of many more seedings...
Yes, pretty smashed after all of that, but my body is holding up I suppose, (all things considered - however there are a few new aches & pains...)
I shall hopefully just keep striving & chipping away at that 'bigger picture' Peter...
Hi Steve, I think we run in a kind of relay race in this life, there are celebrities that run through the tape at the finish and receive great applause, but they couldn't have got there without the other members of their team who ran their part of the course and passed the baton. You did a great job 🚴🚴♂️🚴♀️ and it may well inspire others to give it a go too! Kind thoughts from us in the frozen South of NZ. Only 4 or 5 degrees outside as I write,!
Yes, getting much cooler here now too... & sadly, my bones really do ache all through the winter season...
I am not looking forward to it at all, however, I am also blissfully happy that I had the sun's warmth for most of my Ride, and the final day was a return to a warm summer's morning...
So awesome!
Cheers Peter...
Steve
Bridge view across the Bellingen River to the Great Dividing Range beyond...
Loved looking at all the pics and well done for completing the ride and raising awareness!!! This is very much needed. Hope you had a good old rest after. Bx
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