A Dozen Cyclists Raise Nearly $70,000 for Cancer Research, Ride 200 km in Two Days — as far as Galway to Dublin
By: Gavan Jacob
Tags: Charity, Cancer, Fundraising, Teamwork, Cycling

A Dozen Cyclists Raise Nearly $70,000 for Cancer Research, Ride 200 km in Two Days — as far as Galway to Dublin Gavan Jacob Dec 30, 2021·5 min read

I have been participating in the Cancer200, Ride for Research (the link is a shameless direction to my fundraising page), or the Ride to Conquer Cancer as it was its beginning, a bike ride of 200km over two days. Participants must raise a minimum of $2500. This wonderful event raises money for cancer research that goes directly the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. As soon as the money is donated, it is research ready. In 2018 The Perkins Institute decided to take on the whole event in house. This decision allowed full control of not only the event, but saved many thousands of dollars that would otherwise go to the event company that ran it. It is a decision that wholly improved everything. Steve Curry is the face of the event under the new banner. The Perkins absolutely kicked a goal with this man. He will answer emails, phone calls, pretty much anything you throw at the man he will respond. He is always enthusiastic and never does he get annoyed or flustered. I can’t say enough good things about Steve. Equally the director of the institute, Peter Leedman, another stalwart of this amazing ride. He has particpated in every event and raises some serious coin to boot. A very humble man eager to engage with anyone and a passion second to none to rid the world of cancer.

I wrote this piece in the inaugural year of my participation in this event in 2012 when I was working for Apache Energy. Being in the Oil and Gas industry, we were able to raise quite a good sum of money. I hope you enjoy reading it. Please feel free to offer a critique, it is after all why we put ourselves out there!

(From Left to Right) Geraldine Phillips, Allan McDiarmid, Paul Clegg, Rachael Lincoln, Alan Fairhead ,Me, Diranne Lee-Renwick (Polka Dot Jersey $15,000 or more in donations to get one!), Theresa Regan, Paul Williams, Kane Parker, Tony Regan

Two hundred kilometres in two days. This was the task before us.

Team Apache gathered at the tram monument on the South Perth foreshore for a photo to mark the incredible team fundraising total of $64,194.00. Diranne Lee-Renwick resplendent in his polka dot jersey.; testament to his outstanding effort as one of the first ten to raise $15,000.00. He raised a total of $20,845.00 and finished ninth overall in the top 10 individual fundraisers. An excited Paul Clegg announced that there had been an increase overnight which took us to $66,929.00 thanks to some generous donations that came in late.

We all assembled at the start line in the throng of 1219 riders, daunted by the prospect of cycling 100 Km’s in one day. This was quickly put into perspective by one of the cancer survivors sharing her story with us about her family’s battle with cancer that has haunted them through three generations.

A riderless bicyle followed this moving story, chaperoned by four riders marking the passing of Tony Davies. He was scheduled to ride in this inaugural event but sadly lost his fight just six days prior. Ironically he was the second highest fundraiser for this event.

With a great fanfare and announcements we set off on our arduous journey. Canning Highway was a sea of yellow jerseys as we crawled along from the congestion. As we got further into the ride, the congestion eased and we fell in to a more comfortable pace.

There were four rest places along the way which were teeming with excited volunteers giving up their time to help with the amazing amount of work that is required for these events. Some dressed as clowns others in fancy dress. They organized water, bananas, lunch, muesli bars, electrolyte drinks, you name it! Always with a smile and a “congratulations!”. After every stop we were spurred to continue by these tireless individuals.

We arrived at camp. Tent city, bikes and a throng of lycra had taken over Sir James Mitchell park in the small town of Pinjarra. We were directed to the stables where our steeds would be housed for the night, lubed and oiled.

There were a number of event tents. Massage for the saddle sore and travel weary, yoga for stretching, beverage tents complete with funky seats and shag pile carpet for a cappuccino or a refreshing cuppa, RTCC 2013 sign up and the main event tent equipped, most importantly, with kegs of beer! A sea of blue tents neat in their rows to house the 1200 odd cyclists and hundreds of volunteers for the night.

The formalities revealed the stats. The total raised disclosed; $4.6 million. A staggering total for such a small number of participants. There were a number of announcements for the top achievers: The top three teams, the top three fundraisers and the Ambassadors. The top team raised in excess of $550,000 and the top individual a shade under $38,000. Team Apache managed to place themselves as the sixth top team fundraiser which is a staggering effort.

Once the formalities were finished, a band played into the night, well, up until around eight o’clock. Weary legs prevented most from dancing the night away. By nine the place was quiet, save for some snoring and a twenty-first birthday in an adjacent hall booming in the distance.

The camp sprang to life, alive with excitement at 4:15 as the bleary-eyed riders emerged from their blue cocoons to prepare for the second day under the footy lights on the oval. We fetched our bikes, bellies full of the wonderful breakfast, and set off at 6:15. It quickly became apparent that we would have a headwind for most of the journey. Day one was a doddle compared to day two! Headwind, hills; Horrible! Coogee Road was the quinella. Headwind and hills. A sweeping climb in to Fremantle. Once we passed the rest stop at Fremantle, more hills with Marmion Avenue. A true test of mettle! The saving grace was a tail wind for this part.

Eventually we ended up on the same road that took us out. Canning Highway. A few hundred metres from the finish line. We turned down Taylor street where the streets were lined with people cheering and applauding. Music boomed from the speakers, camera shutters machine gunned. The atmosphere was electric. We allowed ourselves a moment of pride having achieved our goal. Two hundred kilometres in two days with 8 hours of saddle sore riding. Millions raised, tens of thousands raised by our team. What an epic weekend.

We paused to reflect on our efforts. Miniscule in comparison to the daily burden of having to live with the disease we are here to eradicate. We did it. One step closer to a cure.

Time for a well earned rest.