1400km ride to help find cure for cancer
AFTER losing two family members to cancer, Rob Pollock will be participating in the Tour de Cure this year to raise money for cancer research.
Mr Pollock will ride his bicycle 1400km from Newcastle to Noosa alongside more than 160 others.
“My sister-in-law was 23 when cancer beat her, and my cousin was 27 when melanoma got him,” Mr Pollock said.
“That’s two close family members I’ve lost to the disease.
“Everyone has had some form of contact with someone who’s had cancer, whether it be friends or family.
“It’s a way I can contribute to a bit of fundraising and put myself through a bit of a challenge that’s out of my comfort zone.”
Mr Pollock has been training for more than 12 months to prepare for the ride.
“My butt and my bike have got pretty well acquainted,” he said.
“Some weeks I’ve been doing up to 300km cycling locally.
“It’s just a lifestyle choice where I decided to hook in and get really fit.
“I started riding every day back in February last year.”
Starting in Newcastle on March 26, riders will pedal for nine days before arriving in Noosa on April 3.
“Going up the New England, it’s about 1400km with just more than 14,000m of elevation, so there are lots of hills to climb,” Mr Pollock said.
“I think a big day will be about 170-190km and a little day will be about 120km.
“A challenge, I think, will be leaving Tamworth up to Armidale which is a range like we’ve got here. So I’ve been doing that a few times.
“It’ll be up and down along the whole tablelands which will be challenging.
“I’m not too daunted by it, it will be hard like any physical challenge.
“That short bit of pain isn’t much. I’ll get to the top of the hill and then go down and have a rest.”
Mr Pollock, who owns The Source Bulk Foods in Toowoomba, hopes to raise $12,000, and said he was $5000 from his target.
Mr Pollock is holding an online raffle where prizes include a $3000 IRide gift voucher and three $200 vouchers for The Source. To donate to Mr Pollock’s fundraiser, visit www.tourdecure.com.au and search Rob Pollock.