Why I am riding to support the Diabetes Charity

You can see from the link from my profile page that started this week I have be taking part in a relay Bicycling riding event to raise money for the crippling disease Diabetes. Monday was the start you can watch riders here: http://www.sorebums.com.au/ The Charity is Diabetes Queensland who as their charter states raises money and awareness to support research into the crippling disease. An organization committed to reducing the incidence of diabetes through awareness, prevention, detection, management and the search for a cure.

I once knew a man down the street from my Grandparents that as a child developed diabetes and eventually needed a leg removed because of complications resulting from diabetes. The man took his own life because he could not bare the fact that he would no longer be able to get around on his own two legs. I was told he was a good athlete in his younger days. Although this was hushed up some what after the event I felt the effect profoundly hearing this news when i was a teenager.

I had not though about the topic much for years until last week when i received an email asking me to sponsor other riders doing the event. I made some initial enquiries at the snooker club. one of our member has diabetes and has to monitor and watch his diet closely. Other member in fact all members knew someone that had diabetes so it is more prevalent that you think. Having felt the experience of that man I knew down the street some thirty years ago i wonder how many thousands more sufferers may have followers his path. For this reason when I received the email last week i decide to get involved myself and participate in the event by riding and finding people to sponsor me in the event. If you feel inclined to sponsor me all donation gratefully accepted here.

You can follow my progress reports this week as I report on the team effort to ride 2000 kilometres this week on a stationary bike. I will make a diary post here...

Monday 21st November

Day one turned up at the office of the company conducting the charity ride. Pleasantly surprised at the number of staff mainly women taking part in this charity cycle. Wore my 2ux brand clothing which provides for maximum support and aids in the cooling process. Brisbane is quite hot already today 30C degrees. Manages to get a reasonable pace although the bike frame was a little small.When I ride again Wednesday I will make sure I get much more height on the seat post. Managed to ride 11.2 kilometres on the stationary bike in the prescribed half an hour time slot. The cycling team managed to complete the mandatory 200 kilometres on the day on order to reach our target of 200 kilometres per day. Well done team!