| 5 Towns in 5 Days |
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Treatments take place in capital cities, so regional and rural patients have no choice but to leave their homes, farms, businesses and support networks to relocate to a capital city - often within 24 hours. That’s why the Leukaemia Foundation is preparing to build a purpose village with 15 accommodation units for regional and rural patients. 5towns aims to raise $50,000 to help build this Village to provide regional patients and their families a place to call home during long periods of treatment in Adelaide. During the 5towns ride Kimon cycled to five different towns in five days across South Australia to meet those who battle blood cancers including leukaemia, uncovering inspirational tales of bravery and their personal stories. Here he tells us about his final day’s ride from Swan Reach to Adelaide city as he tackled the final 126 kilometres of his gruelling 703 kilometre ride
From Kersbrook in the Adelaide Hills, I decided to put the hammer down. Heart rate went up to 160, 170 and stayed there for a while. I just felt this massive rush to nail one more ride, one more chance to experience 5towns. The legs felt great and wearing the Skins must have made a difference, because I covered ground at a rapid rate. Hitting the hills at Kangaroo creek the legs still felt good. A group of young club riders were chasing me and caught me easily going up one of the hills. I blurted out "Want to come to a party?" No reply, so I said: "Guess that is a no then." One of them the said, "No worries mate”, just blowing me off, which was kinda irritating. They kicked on, leaving little space for me, which also got under my skin. Cyclists are a funny lot. Reminds me of rugby in a way. You do what you can to show dominance over the weak but when the ride is done and the coffee flows, everything is sweet. They tore my legs off going up another hill, but I knew that some serious descent was coming up, so I kept pace as well as I could. Reaching the top I gave it everything to catch them and pay back the attitude, plus expand a bit on the invitation. Two of them had been dropped on the descent and my speed reached 80km/h, which took me past them in a flash. The main pack of ten was still ahead and I could catch glimpses of them. Came to a main straight and just kept pounding away, until I eventually caught up! It was so funny to see at the front one of them take a look and then needed to take a second take. He said something to the next guy and so it went down the line. One face of incredulousness after the other. I got chatting with one of the guys at the back. He was from Perth and unfortunately they all had to head off after the ride to go to school so there would be no buns for them in Adelaide. I got to the end of Gorge Road in just 50 minutes. It was a cracking pace and blew some cobwebs out - I love going fast downhill! Stopped at a cafe to wait for the others and realised I had no money. Dying for a decent coffee, I told the owner what I was up to and he was kind enough to put one on the house. Josh had two punctures - just 10k out! Unreal! I was jumping out of my skin to get into the city, but it was important to arrive together. Thankfully Trak Cycles had loaned gear so the problem was fixed quickly. Arriving into Adelaide and seeing family and friends made the whole thing come together. Lena, Stella and Zack gave bear hugs, friends had come out and it felt so good to be back home. Mum had engaged sister and nephew to shake a few cans, we gave out Bakers Delight buns, and the whole team just absorbed the great vibes. Adam Internet and Bakers Delight made it and so grateful for their support, along with everyone who took me up on this adventure. |
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