What an adventure!!
I made it! I'm so glad when Don asked me if I would be interested, I thought past the fact I hadn't ridden for 20 years and the fact that I didn't own a bike. Apart from the satisfaction of knowing I have contributed to a worth while cause, I have also proven to myself with a little effort, something daunting can be achieved with just a little enthusiasm and a few good mates.

We got off to a rocky start with one of our team mates managing to get four flat tyres in a row. Thanks to the efforts of our own personal support crew, (Brad & Craig) the problem was eventually sorted and we were away. The ride was comfortable, the weather was perfect and the food and water stops were very well timed. We arrived at camp about 2.30pm where we were handed a survival pack of thongs (for the shower), ear plugs( to ensure the snorers and farters didn't keep anyone awake!) a torch and an eye mask(as the flood lights were on all night). Could they have thought of anything else. Yes! There was a massage tent, Yoga classes, Baristas, TV lounge, and best of all a bar!
After a hot shower, hearty meal and some entertainment it was off to the tent. Well, anyone who knows me knows I'm no camper and now I remember why. It was a very long night of tossing and turning but despite feeling like I hadn't slept, at 4.30am in the morning I was ready to do it all again.
Dressed, breakfasted and ready to go, we get the bikes out of the rack area only to find one of the girls had a broken spoke. This took a little while to fix and I'm pretty sure we found ourselves the very last ones to leave. No problem. Off we go to tackle the last 116ks, when 1.1km down the road, we have another flat. Our support team were there within minutes. Tyre changed and off we go.......again.

It was a long ride home, but we all made it. One of my favorite moments of the whole event was when we came around the last corner and the seven of us who had trained together and rode together, lined up abreast each other and simultaneously crossed the finished line. What an achievement!

It was one of the most well organised events I have ever been apart of. There is nothing that was missed. From food and water, to ear plugs and eye masks. Well done to everyone involved in organising this amazing event. I can't commend you enough.

This is it from me. My final THANK YOU to everyone. I couldn't have made the difference or experienced the journey without each and everyone of you. XXXXX

by Kim White on Wed, Oct 24, 2012 @ 6:42 AM

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Here we go......
Well, I made it. The day before the start of the ride. I'm excited and very nervous at the same time. I know it's not a race, however there is always the thought in the back of your mind..will I make it? (I know I will)
It's been a fantastic journery getting here. I have my bike down stairs at work and will be taking it over at the end of Friday to MacCallum Park so I'm all set for Saturday morning.
I'm being picked up at 5am by Sandy and Annie and then off to meet the rest of our team mates at the Park by 5.45am for a 6am breaky. Emails have been flying back and forward between us all, trying to make sure none of us forget anything. What an adventure!
Yet again.........THANK YOU everyone.....for your donations, encouragement, support, well wishes and for the stories you have shared with me.
I'm not sure if the site will still be up once the ride is over, however, if it is, I will put in an update on how it went and what our final team fundraising effort was. (Which BTW is now over $59,000!!!)
Bye for now :-)

by Kim White on Thu, Oct 18, 2012 @ 6:29 PM

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Maxine......This is for you
On September 23rd my sister-in-law lost her mother to Cancer. She was also a Grandmother, Mother-in-law, Daughter, Wife and one of the most vibrant life loving woman I have ever had the blessing to spend time with. This weekend I will have Maxine in my thoughts every time my legs burn, every time I breathe heavy, every time I think to moan or groan about how uncomfortable I might be. I will be thinking of my beautiful sister in law and her family, hoping that time can ease their pain.
I know all the other people who I'm joining are also riding for friends and family who has felt the sadness of this disease, if not themselves. I feel privileged to be able to be a part of this event and I know the effort everyone is making does truly make a difference, so that in time people won't have to go through the suffering associated with Cancer.
I couldn't have been part of this if it wasn't for Don, who asked me to join his team back in February, for my friends who joined the team with me and were a motivation to ride every week, to Nev who has supported me in every way with becoming prepared for this event and for everyone who has donated to my fundraising to get me to over the $2,500 mark. THANK YOU ALL.
Maxine.......This is for you

by Kim White on Mon, Oct 15, 2012 @ 7:31 PM

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May/June Update
I'm still only managing to ride once a week but with the support of my fellow riders, Annie, Petrina, Frank, Sandy and Amber, we are slowly building up to longer and longer rides each week. A couple of big achievements for us were a ride to Fremantle and back from Landsdale, and then a couple of weeks later Annie, Petrina and I rode to Mandurah from the Bell tower. We clocked up 80km, with an average speed of 21kms/hour which while slow for our lycra specialists was an achievement we are proud of. No, we didn't ride back....Petrina's husband Brad was kind enough to drive all the way to Mandurah to bring our sore & sorry backsides (yes, really sore) back home. We had a great morning and I managed to find some very inventive ways to sit for the rest of the day.

On a more serious note, the fundraising has slowed down a bit for me although still every now and then I get a surprise donation from someone I talked to a while back. Maybe it's time for a reminder email or two. Don and I have organised a get together for all the team early in July to get some movement on some group fundraising. That's scheduled for the 13th July so I'll let everyone know what's happening once it has been sorted.

To those who are reading this, please consider forwarding my home page link to your friends and family, as if they are going to donate to a charity this year, this is definitely a worthy one!

by Kim White on Sun, Jun 24, 2012 @ 3:34 AM

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$2,500 raised and climbing!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Not only have you all raised the required $2,500 for me to ride the 200km's you have passed it! Now it's time for me to try harder, so I'm going to up my goal to $3,500 and hopefully find just as many more generous people as those of you who have contributed so far.
It's been a few weeks since my last post, (thanks Dad for the reminder!) and I now have quite a few extra kilometres in my legs.
The RAC 30km bike ride was the first time I actually stayed on the bike for 30km straight. Quiet a bit more challenging than hopping off at traffic crossings every so often. (Harden up buttercup I think was the phrase used!) We rode from home to the start (approx 20km). I was all set to ride home again, when Petrina's husband appeared out of no-where with his car and bike rack! How could I refuse? It was a great morning and a little taste of things to come.
We road to Leederville from Landsdale last weekend, had breaky at Dome and rode home. I had no idea how picturesque riding along the freeway on the bike track is. A little inconsistent with the paths but a lovely ride just the same.
One thing we are finding is that starting so early in the mornings (5.30am) we are limited to destinations with a lot of coffee shops not opening until 8am, which, for most of us is past coffee time for a 5.30am start. Just something else to consider when working out the next ride route.
Don has so much happening for the team with our Step Into Life shirts coming out soon, fundraisers on the horizon and some training rides on top of that. Our team has grown to 16 people and raised over $16,000!! Which is what it's all about.
Thanks again to everyone for your donations and please please continue passing on my my link. As I've said before, the money is going straight into the bank account of WAIR where they have immediate access to it.

by Kim White on Mon, Apr 02, 2012 @ 5:32 AM

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Getting Better on my Bike
Over the last couple of weeks I've managed to get a few times on the bike and I've done a couple of 40km rides with some team members, Annie, Petrina, Sandy and Frank. Apart from wobbly legs and a sore butt, I faired better than expected.
I've only had two flats so far, and been lucky enough not to have to change either of them myself due to the fact they didn't go flat until I was very close to home, and my wonderful husband and son, changed them for me. I guess I will have to learn soon enough though.
The team had a fantastic win last week due to the amazing efforts of team member Phil Williams. The team is now officially being sponsored by StepIntoLife. This means our ride is a focus for the WA franchises and our fundraising and hopefully team member base will benefit greatly.
We have a team orientation next week at Joondalup where hopefully the team will meet as a whole for the first time. I'm really looking forward to that.
Next weekend Annie, Petrina and myself are going to give the 30km RAC ride a go. We are going to ride there (20KM) do the ride and then depending how we feel after, may ride home, or may catch the train. I'll let you know after next week how it turns out.
While fundraising has slowed down for me in the last couple of weeks, I am still receiving donations and good luck wishes, so thanks to everyone for passing my plight around and thanks to those who have and are donating. You are all making a difference to someones life.

by Kim White on Sun, Mar 11, 2012 @ 3:59 AM

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First training ride
I have to say I'm quite pleased with today's efforts. Up at 5am out the door at 5.30am, picked Annie up rode to Sorrento (From Landsdale), ran 40min, had breakfast and coffee, then rode home (up hill against the wind all the way) and then passed out on the bed for an hour!

My confidence increased on the way home, though I'm sure some tips from someone who's an experienced rider wouldn't go astray. I think I went through all of my 24 gears at some stage, with a change approximately every 30 seconds! The dismount from my bike could be a little more lady like and controlled and I'm hoping that will come with practice.
All in all though it was great fun and I'm looking forward to my next ride.
Thank you to everyone who's continuing to circulate my emails and links and thank you to people who are donating. Thanks to you I have managed to reach the $2,000 mark this week!
I read an interesting fact on Jerome Gallagher's blog which I hope he won't mind I share, and that's that the money you donate today goes straight to the WAIMR now and not later in the year after the ride. So potentially you could be helping save someone today.
Thanks for all your support and please keep forwarding my link around.

by Kim White on Sun, Feb 19, 2012 @ 3:25 AM

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Thank You!
This is day 12 of my fundraising efforts and I can honestly say this has been one of the most amazing 12 days I have ever had. I have had some very generous donations, I have had donations from people who don't personally know me and I have heard stories from people that have made me cry at night.
As most of you know the challenge for me was trying to raise the minimum $2,500. I didn't realise how much more this challenge was going to be. Raising the money, due to the generosity of people and the passion for finding cures, hasn't been as difficult as I expected. Listening to people's tales of their connections with Cancer has been sad, inspiring and humbling. So in my first entry to this blog, I want to thank Don for bringing me on board, and everyone who has and will contribute in some way to helping raise these funds. I also want to thank you all for sharing your stories with me as they are a huge motivator and reaffirm why I took this on in the first place.
Next, you all might like to know, I can still ride a bike! After purchasing my new bike last Sunday, I have been worried, (as it's been 20+ years since I sat on a bike) that maybe I wouldn't be able to balance or steer or I don't what, but it turns out I can. (My friend Annie did assure me it was like sex. Once you'd done it, you don't forget!) While I only went around the block a couple of times, I can assure you, I will be able to complete the ride........eventually. Fortunately I have until October to build up some K's. I will keep you updated and hopefully replace my photo with one of me and my bike soon.

by Kim White on Sun, Feb 12, 2012 @ 5:10 AM

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