Reflecting on supporting young children in the Great Cycle Challenge

At 76 one is in or entering the final chapter of life. You reflect a lot on the past. But thinking about the future helps retain purpose and inspire new initiatives. In 2025 I rode the GCC for the second time. My first ride was in 2013. I was employed then. I had a worldwide network. $5,000 raised and 200kms ridden. It felt good to be giving support for a group that can’t help themselves. 12 years older this year, a chance encounter in a shopping centre reminded me of those exploits. I’d giving up riding from fear of a fall with potential irreparable shoulder damage. But when I rethought it, improved risk management and better training and bike service, that risk seemed now to be reasonable compared to the benefit any funds raised meant to kids in need.

Training for 5 weeks got me to the start line. A remarkable network of largely linked cycle paths in the NSW Southern Highlands and manageable topography meant 30-35kms per ride was possible. And finally my social media and professional connections driven by photos, video and updates, supported by a great public reporting platform from GCC which customises individual progress.

The rides have not been without discomfort. How minimal they are compared with what those young children with cancer go through. I lost both parents to cancer. I volunteer locally here with Can Assist Southern Highlands branch to help fund care for adults. I currently have 8 friends in treatment.

The 73 generous donors have been a group where almost half of them have endured or had a family member with cancer, some who have lost children through the terrible affliction.

So as we come to the end of this journey, I thank all of my supporters from around the world. You have all made a beneficial difference to a little person we may never even know. Because your funds will add to the body of research that progressively unlocks keys to better outcomes. I end the month fitter than I was at 50, feeling a sense of some accomplishment, proud that so many fellow Australians have joined together in this purpose and encouraging me to think about what more I might contribute. I have already had a wonderful, productive life. Above anything else, this month’s rides were all about giving those 700 young folk who are diagnosed with cancer each year, a better chance to go on to lead happy, healthy lives themselves, in part thanks to the research we have all funded through the GCC and the Children’s Medical Research Institute here in Australia.

Thanks again for YOUR support. John xx

Into the final week- 6 more rides

Thursday 23rd October provided a second day of matching funds up to $80,000. Thanks to the generosity of yesterday’s donors and the proportionate share of the $80,000, (because it was oversubscribed, which is terrific,) I was able to add some $900. I also clocked up another 15km after a long working day of commercial photography for a valued client.

Until yesterday My goal was $6,000. Well we are now at $6,500+. And I have ridden 2/3 of my target 360km.

So in the 8 days and likely 6 rides left I am trying to add an extra $500 and ride 120 more kilometres.

To my wonderful supporters, a massive thank you. What the more than $2M in funds raised nationally mean for child cancer research won’t be known immediately. But what is certain is that the funding will raise the chances of new courses of intervention to improve outcomes. Your contribution gives more children the chance to grow up to become healthy adults and lead full lives. No child should have to fight for life. That’s why I, at 76, am now focused on that final 120km in 8 days and hopefully achieve that raised bar of $500 more. If you’ve read this far, you are deeply valued. Thank you. And A huge shout out to Marjo Hallowell from Bargo, NSW whose efforts inspired me to start back on the bike this year in the GCC, and who, with family members and her various community supporters, have raised a whopping $46,000 this year in this initiative.

https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/Riders/JohnSwainston1

Some days it's hard - RIDE 6

I've had a minor bit of man flu, the past three days. Gravelly throat and needing the odd Panadol. The winds been up and I have fallen behind my ride goal. This morning I still didn't feel much like going for a ride. But, after finally getting more than 7 hours sleep, still feeling generally below par, I decided to get back on the bike. I had to get my skates on. Winds were forecast to reach 55km in early afternoon and rain forecast with possible storm activity. In fact they gusted over 80km/hr at 2.00pm, by which time I was safely home again.

What drove me out? Well, however off I felt, it's simply nothing compared with what a child goes through when diagnosed with a cancer prognosis. And that's what we are all riding for this month. To help the Children's Medical Research Institute (of Australia) continue their important work, hopefully with strengthened resources as a result of the thousands of riders out there raising money this month.

And I'll have to get two more rides of 30kms done before Tuesday night this week, so I remain on track to achieve my 360km riding goal for the month. Just a little bit more gumption than I felt like. But imagine a world where we get to cure even more kids of cancer, so they, like the fortunate me, can live long, productive lives too? Worth doing, isn't it?

Achieving a major milestone : Day 4

Sunday before NSW Labour Day. A mild breeze WNW at 29kms. Perfect blue sky. 15 degrees here in the Southern Highlands. Having ridden 19km last evening, I set out to make an altogether longer ride. Just $70 short of $3,000 raised and starting with 49km of the 360km distance goal already ridden. 3 weeks to go to raise that $1,070.

Well the wind doubled in speed and shifted to WSW. Everything was suddenly harder. The muscles protested even at modest hills. But I got there. Brought the ride average to 20kms, after 4 rides. Just ahead of target

A family grandkids afternoon. Over a cuppa I checked my emails. Gobsmacked by a single donation that got me to the $4,000 target today, day 4 of 31. So generous. Making a big difference for Kids with cancer. Children’s Medicsl Research will put this to great use.

So for the next 27 days I am redoubling my efforts. I’ll be raising my financial goal and making sure to get those kms under my belt. Just in case a period of heavy rain gets in the way.

I have a big announcement this coming Tuesday so stay tuned. Very exciting. Wednesday could be the day that breaks all records. But only if YOU are on board.

Go well ! And please donate, perhaps even wait for Tuesday’s announcement . It will be VERY rewarding.

6th Day of Training: Another 15.5kms, with 77km/hr wind gusts!

Here in the Southern Highlands it was blowing gusts of 77km at 11.30am this morning when I was out training. The 15.5km run had me nearly blown off a couple of times, but good to remind oneself of safe riding, constant vigilance. Suffice to say beating into that wind had me down to 11km/hr, but 40km/hr when riding East! Getting ready for the off next Wednesday, 1st October. I hope you'll join me in helping to fight against Kids' cancer by donating to the ride . TIA. John

End of first week of training

A huge thank you to all of you who have supported my return to the bicycle saddle in such an important cause. Today, sunny.... but a cool 9 degrees start. What worried me was the 40km gusts from the southwesterly. Finally got the balance right to deal with that, but the lungs protested a bit beating into the worst of it. Down along Bong Bong Common, up through the glorious streets of Burradoo, here in the Highlands, and then a return run. That got me to 14.8km. Yes, tiring through the buffeting of the wind. But then I thought: 'Heck, how about making it 20km?'. So, off I went again did most of the return run on Bong Bong Common and then back for 21km total this morning. Oof! I am going to upload my videos to Vimeo tomorrow, so they can all be viewed there. I'll put up a link when done. Again thanks for the support. It's what helps me keep training, so I am ready for the Great Cycle Challenge, which officially starts on October 1st. Remember: I'm riding to support the Fight Against Kids' Cancer. Till next time. John

Raising The Bar

After just five days you, my friends, have helped me raise over $500. The Great Cycle Challenge starts in 12 days time. So I've raised and doubled my fundraising goal, which is now $2,000!

I'll be back in the saddle tomorrow after a day in Sydney today, Thursday 18th September.

First day of training

Not as tough as I feared, but it was only a very short 10km ride. 2.5 weeks of training ahead, leading to alternate days of 18km rides.