2014 State of Origin Country Tour
I love doing these smaller Country Tours. They are more relaxed and ‘intimate’ compared to the huge Signature Tour machine.
On road we had 13 riders, and 9 support crew. We visited 7 schools (to spread the “Be Fit, Be Healthy, Be Happy” message to over 2,000 kids), donated $20,000 to local support programs, cycled 521 km, climbed 6,220 metres, spent 21 hours and 42 minutes in the saddle, spread over 4 days of riding through some of the most spectacular scenery in both Qld and NSW. To date the fundraising tally is just over $103,000 and still climbing.
Day 1 was a glorious start from Coolangatta, where we had breakfast from the lookout at Point Danger. 
We visited 3 schools on day 1, and ended up in Boonah for the evening. Our community dinner was held at the beautiful, rambling homestead of Lyn and Dick Atkinson.
Day 2 was a short day in terms of kilometres, but an epic day in terms of climbing! Still trying to work out if it is the hardest climb I have ever done. I know my front wheel lifted off the road quite a few times, my heart rate was on maximum and my muscles were on fire!! The view from the top was spectacular, and we had a lovely lunch in the cafe. I very proudly wore the Awareness jersey today. It is a real honour to ever be awarded a jersey whilst on Tour, as it is recognition for above and beyond. 
We ended day 2 in the sleepy country town of Killarney, with a community dinner around the fire from the local Lions club, and some bush poetry!
Day 3 was a chilly red jacket start through the border ranges and over into NSW (that’s where the really bad roads started!!). It was a great day of riding through ever changing terrain. The highlight of today was the visit to the tiny school of Wiangaree. 18 kids listened to our “Be Fit, Be Healthy, Be Happy” message. 
I also want to make mention of the fun and laughter of the riders during our stretching session at the end of the day in Casino. Lots of good belly laughs from a group that have bonded together beautifully during this journey. There were 5 riders that came on Tour with hairy legs. Alex Dahdah made sure they would not go home this way and took the fundraising total over $100k with his $500 donation to get those legs shaved. All in the name of fundraising (and I was so much more impressed with the ‘cleaner’ calf muscles to look at!!).
Our final day was yet another spectacular day of riding. The weather fairy was with us again, and we only had a short sprinkle of rain fall on us. Our lunch was very picturesque on the banks of the Tweed River in Murwillumbah. Just one more hill to climb and we were down on the coast again and heading north to Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club to the cheers of our loved ones. I always get a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye knowing the end is near, and thinking of what we have achieved once again in the search for cancer cures.
I am grateful to have met seven new friends on this Tour. It is hard to describe the whole experience of Tour. It is just awesome!! For me it’s about the people – the ones on the team who put so much into it, the school kids, the random ones you meet who want to know more about TdC, and of course all the people who have dug into their pockets and donated. We need money to fund the life saving cancer breakthroughs, support and awareness programs.
Life is great, and remember “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”. Margaret Mead
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