I attended a launch event last week for a charity cycling event run by Breakthrough TD1 (formerly JDRF), and I felt energised and enthusiastic. I don’t often attend events like this one, partly because I’m no longer a bike magazine editor, and partly because events are rarer in modern business life. I felt compelled to accept this invitation because the JDRF charity bike ride is the reason I took up cycling nearly 18 years ago. This decision changed my life. You can read a bit more about me here.
Taking up road cycling led me to find my ‘thing’ or purpose, if you will. That’s not to say I wouldn’t have had a happy and satisfying life for the past 18 years; I’m sure I would. But taking up road cycling has made me a more confident, competent and content person (don’t you just love alliteration).
But back to the Breakthrough TD1 ride. It’s a charity bike ride held each year in the picturesque Barossa Valley to raise money to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes – an extremely worthy cause. This year it’s on from 20 to 22 November, and you just need to raise $5,000 to have a fully supported ride that includes flights, transfers, accommodation, meals, a choice of ride distances, and a load of fun.
I did the JDRF ride five times, from 2009 to 2013, and then I volunteered in the mechanics team in 2014. In my first three rides, I completed the 80 km course, and in the final two, I rode 160 km (two laps of the 80 km course – one in a clockwise direction and one anti-clockwise).
For me, the weekend away began on the Friday when I flew to Adelaide (part of the package), and was welcomed at Adelaide airport by the charity team and transferred to the Barossa. Accommodation is at the Novotel Hotel, which has an amazing view over the valley. It is also the location for the start and finish of the ride. After arrival, there’s a mechanics team on hand to help assemble your bike if you need that support. They also help pack it up at the end.
On Friday night, there’s a welcome session, a safety briefing, and dinner to carb-load. It’s also great to catch up with old friends from previous rides. The ride happens on Saturday, and depending on the distance you choose (40, 80, 120 or 160 km), you could be out there for a while. The Barossa Valley is a little hilly, but it’s a beautiful place to ride, and while you’re tapping up those hills you’ll have fabulous views!! After the ride you get to rest and recover and then attend the Saturday night party to celebrate—all great fun. You then depart after breakfast on Sunday.
If you think it’s too hard to raise the money, you might surprise yourself. Sure, it’s a little challenging, but if I can achieve it five times, then you can too. You have to stick at it, and keep (politely) asking for the support of people in your network. You’ll find people whose lives are touched by Type 1 diabetes to be particularly generous.
And if you’re wondering, I’m considering returning the ride this November but haven’t committed as yet.
If this ride doesn’t suit your schedule or other needs, I recommend looking into charity bike rides you can participate in. It’s an awesome way to help raise funds for charity, while having fun on your bike. There are so many benefits – creating a training goal, raising charity funds, meeting new people, and the best part – riding your bike in a great location.