1000km cycle for kids
Andy’s not just along for the ride
FOR first time 1000 K’s 4 Kids ride participant Andy Olrich, the gruelling 10-day event has special significance.
Mr Olrich lost his nephew Damon at just three-years-of-age to leukaemia and so he decided to ride the 1000km trek in honour of Damon.
“I’d been wanting to do something for him for some time,” Mr Olrich said.
“We’re all raising money for kids with cancer (through Camp Quality) so it’s a great cause.
“We get the chance to get on a bike in the morning, these little fellows don’t get that chance.”
Mr Olirch joined 50 other riders and support staff for the ride from Maleny back to Newcastle from where the participants originate.
The group stopped in Toowoomba after the second leg of the tour, riding from Esk on Saturday and most were in need of a well-earned rest that night.
“It was tough riding up that hill (The Range),” Mr Olrich grinned.
“But the support team are amazing, we can have a massage and there are paramedics with us as well.
“I started training for this in December last year because you have to be able to do it.
“It’s a thousand times better than I thought, though it’s hard work.
“Getting to the top of the hill (Range) was tough but we work as a team.
“My original goal was to raise $4000 but as of last night my tally has just clicked over $15,000.
“It was amazing how so many people helped... work mates, friends, people I hadn’t seen for years.
“Social media helps a lot.” This year’s ride had raised more than $400,000.
Support team member Nicki Lembcke said the hospitality of people in the towns they rode through had been magnificent.
“All the support we get from country towns is amazing,” she said.
“People come out and give us food and things, we offer to pay but they say ‘no, that will be fine’.”