CareFlight 270km Fundraising Ride

After a serious cycling accident in June 2011 I made the trip back to Queensland to support CareFlight a lifesaving service who saved my life on that traumatic day 15 months ago. If it wasn’t for the work of the CareFlight Pilots, Paramedic’s and Staff, I might not have been here today!

The ‘Base-to-Base’ bike ride to raise money for CareFlight was organised and 8 of us took up the challenge to ride from the Gold Coast Base to the Toowoomba Base some 270km’s away. The Journey from Gold Coast to Toowoomba took place on Friday with an early 3:30am wake up to make sure we were on the road by 5:30am. When we began our ride and I was feeling proud to be supporting CareFlight after what they did for me last year. After 2 punctures and a couple of nature break’s our first stop at 95km’s was a much needed rest. We re-filled our water bottles, took on-board some more food and hit the road in sight of our final destination. Everyone was riding well and we were ahead of schedule by 1 hour. At our lunch stop after 170km’s, some sandwiches and chocolate cake donated by the Bendigo Bank filled our stomachs before the final 100km’s.

I was feeling good with 80km’s to go we were joined by a group of 6 riders from Toowoomba who did their best to help us reach the finish. The weather had been fairly nice all day with 25-30 degree temperatures and some cloud making for the perfect riding weather. 50km’s to go however, a storm was approaching and we spent 20 minutes with heavy rain drops pounding us. A little wet and tired we persevered and could almost reach out and grab the finish line and with just a 10km climb to the top of the hill that would see us reach Toowoomba after 9.5hrs of riding our legs pushed their way up the climb to reach our final destination.

Everyone was so pleased with our amazing efforts to ride 9.5hrs over 270km’s and raise an outstanding $21,800 for CareFlight. Some media interviews and a few cans of rice creams later, we headed to our accommodation to have a refreshing shower before dinner. Taking part in Toowoomba’s Festival of Flowers riding in the parade was ahead for the Saturday, amazing parade with over 150,000 spectators lining the roadside cheering.

I was so happy to raise $4, 305 and would like to say a very big thanks to those who supported me for such a great cause. It was a great experience and I hope to take part in the next CareFlight Base to Base Fundraising ride. To the many CareFlight staff in particular Fiona MacAnally that organised this event and supported us throughout the ride I would like to thank you for your contribution and assistance. Our food, drink and spares wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for the support from Gus MacAnally who gave up his time to assist us, so thanks for your help Gus. To the other 7 riders, Geoff Straub, Brad Solomon, Ryan MacAnally, Peter Spencer, Bryce Lindores, Karl Dehaen and Mark Jamison, thanks for the memories and the ride guys! I now look forward to my next National Road Series race, the Launceston to Norfolk 208km 1 day classic in Tasmania on the 30th September. Keep posted for my race report, Cheers Brenton