Week One: Done and dusted... or more accurately, done and absolutely drenched.
Firstly, thank you so much for all the support so far! We are incredibly grateful and honestly a little blown away. We've already reached our fundraising goal, which is amazing... but let's not stop there. Let's see just how far we can push it! Every year we creep a little closer to $10,000 raised overall, and we'd love to keep the momentum rolling (pun absolutely intended).
As is tradition in both Melbourne and the Great Cycle Challenge, October started with rain. Lots of rain. The kind of rain that makes you question your life choices. But after doing this challenge for several years, we've learned an important lesson: if you skip a ride because of bad weather, future-you still has to ride those kilometres anyway. And future-you is usually just as tired and just as grumpy.
So we rode in the rain.
Because while riding in the rain is uncomfortable, childhood cancer is far worse.
I recently saw a tip in a cycling group suggesting you put motivational stickers on your bike. Naturally, I gave it a go. Now, whenever I'm halfway up a hill, questioning every decision that led me to this moment, I can look down and remind myself why we're doing this. It doesn't make the hill any flatter, but it helps.
Some highlights from the first week include spotting a pelican and two beautiful white cranes. We are also thrilled to report that neither of us has been swooped by a magpie, attacked by a rogue goose, fallen into a river, or come off our bikes. By Week One standards, that's a huge success.
Unfortunately, our bike seats appear to be plotting against us. Let's just say our backsides are currently filing formal complaints. Sitting down has become less of an action and more of a carefully planned negotiation.
We also invested in some cycling glasses to protect us from bugs. Coincidentally, a dragonfly immediately volunteered to test their durability at high speed. The glasses survived. The dragonfly's pride may not have.
Meanwhile, Lachlan has fully embraced the cycling lifestyle and is now wearing lycra.
I would like to make it very clear that I am not wearing lycra.
Not now.
Not next week.
Not ever.
...unless someone donates $500.
At which point my dignity suddenly becomes surprisingly negotiable.
Keep an eye on our weekly updates because we've got some exciting bigger rides coming up. There may also be some very enthusiastic little cycling helpers making guest appearances along the way.
What's Keeping Us Pedalling This Week?
Lachy 🎵 Various songs from Run the Jewels
Storm 🎧 Kill List (Audible) 🎵 Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones
Thank you again for every donation, comment, and word of encouragement. They genuinely help on those days when it's cold, wet, windy, and our legs are wondering why they can't just sit on the couch instead.
We've got another four weeks to go, plenty more kilometres ahead, and hopefully at least one less rainstorm.
Although, knowing Melbourne, that's probably wishful thinking.