What a ride its been!!

Last year I was involved in something that was pretty special. It was called the Midi-Smiddy the little brother to the main Smiddy Challenge which had been running since 2006.

After 3 days of being part of the Smiddy team I was hooked and knew right then that in 2011 I would give the Smiddy Challenge a go.

As we neared Christmas last year I started running the idea past a few of the guys to see if I could get any of them interested in joining me on this great adventure. I was rapt when Gav, Brad and Jase all put their hand up. I think I remember saying to them that this would be one of the greatest things they would ever do in their lives.

To do be involved with Smiling for Smiddy is an unbelievable experience and one which is difficult for those who have done to explain and for those who have yet to do it to grasp it. Fortunately these guys took me for my word and signed up.

For the previous 12 months we had all grown pretty close in a blokey sort of way although my lovely wife still had a little trouble coming to terms with the fact that I got pleasure out of getting up at 4.15am to pull on some lycra meet up with some similarly clad guys and ride a bike followed by sitting around again in lycra drinking coffee.....she just shook her head but I know deep down she was pleased that I had found something that obviously I enjoyed and got me shedding some unwanted kilos.

With a baby on the way and due in September Jase stepped down from the ride a tough call but the right one and Dammo stepped in and become a rock in the team.

I remember thinking how far away September seemed to feel and here we are now only hours away from heading off. For me its a great time to reflect upon the many months of training and fund raising that we have done. At times its been hard with early winter mornings and yet another trip up Mt Cootha but I wouldn't swap any of it. I can honestly say I have laughed more in the past year than in the past few, I'm fitter, have a better outlook on life and I hope have now got my priorities in order.

When I started this I was asked why I was doing it. A simple enough question but as I thought about it it dawned upon me that there were a number of reasons. Sure I wanted to be involved in something that made a difference in the fight against cancer but I also wanted to show my kids (aged 17, 10 and 6) that some times you have to challenge yourself to do something that your not quite sure you can. I hope they have taken something out of my participation which they can apply in their lives down the track.

I know we have always tried to limit the impact that our training has had on our families but inevitably there were times where we needed to do a long ride or a training weekend and in these cases our families were very supportive and let us do what needed to. To my family and the other families thankyou for allowing us to be involved in this for allowing us the time to train and for putting up with way more talk about all things cycling than anyone should ever have to.

To the guys Brad, Gav and Dammo what can I say its been a blast hanging out with you guys. I couldn't ask to do this with a better bunch of blokes and I know we are going to have an awesome week. Brad mate the news that Fleur would be having treatment for breast cancer as we ride to Townsville was a huge shock and you know our hearts go out to you and Fleur. I think we have all drawn some strength knowing that we are all doing something in the fight against cancer and you and Fleur will be in our thoughts for every peddle stroke we take next week.

8 days, 1600km, one great cause......can't wait to begin!!