Change starts with YOU!!!

I am taking part in the Chain Reaction Women’s Challenge.  We are cycling to raise awareness and money for domestic violence. In particular for two organisations: White Ribbon and Traction.

Many of you may have heard of White Ribbon. It works to eliminate gendered violence. The programs we are supporting, work via a primary prevention approach in communities and schools to build skills so that everyone can proactively drive the change needed to stop violence in our communities.

Traction is the organisation that I am most proud to be supporting.  It was established in Queensland and supports many young people who are facing challenges well beyond their ability to cope. The life trajectories of these children are devastating – from mixing with the wrong crowd, drugs, violence, social isolation, poor physical and mental health, and welfare dependency. Traction aims to prevent children from falling through the cracks – they make a meaningful difference by building self-esteem and life skills.

The Chain Reaction ride was planned for November on the Gold Coast and I was going to be joined by a team of like minded senior women from across Rio Tinto.

Due to Covid-19, the ride that was planned will not go ahead.  Instead I personally will ride solo from Aurukun to Weipa —mixing it up between a mountain bike, and a road bike - dependant on road conditions. 

YOUR ACTIVITY TRACKING

TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED

kms

DAY 1

kms

DAY 2

kms

DAY 3

kms

My Updates

Done

208km Aurukun to Weipa
Three bikes a dually, a hard tail and a road bike.  12:30hrs and lots of dust 

I made it!

This morning - I completed my solo journey from Aurukun to Weipa. The ride took 12.5hrs and gravel roads weren't the only obstacle. Gigantic spiders, rogue scrub bulls and snakes kept me alert throughout the night. Thank you to the local team for meeting me by the haul road on the outskirts of town - to complete the home stretch, and to all who supported my ride. I was very grateful for the cool down supplied by Fire and Rescue in the final moments!

Last training ride…

Last training ride this morning…
We got up at 3am and rode out to the second set of bitumen….
It was beautiful… 

The stars were out and the night sky in a remote area with no pollution was magnificent, this was followed by a beautiful sunrise.  

A big thanks to all the drivers on the PDR which have been incredibly considerate, probably wondering what loon is riding a bike in the middle of the night in the middle of Cape York.

Gosh it’s hot!

Looking forward to riding next week. Every day at the moment seems to be hotter that the last!

A hot ride!

Another great day in Weipa!  It is very hot but a good ride, airport loop and then to each of the boat ramps! 

A crocodile & a train.....

This morning I did a hot lap with Kelly (my training buddy) and the a social lap with a slightly bigger crew.  There is only so much sealed road in Weipa - so the loops are Andoom 30km, Airport 30km, or Airforce base 45km. You may think this would get boring.... BUT today we saw a crocodile and where a few meters away from our beautiful Rio Tinto locomotive taking bauxite from Andoom to Lorim Point for our Gladstone refineries.

Weipa Sunsets

Riding is both easy and hard with views like this!!!

Early mornings in the tropics

Opting for the indoor training this morning for two hours of high cadence before work

I love aircon! 

It’s 22 but feels like a steamy 25 outside already 

Thank You To My Donors

Anonymous

$4k

Bauxite Ops

Well done Michelle - such a great cause and an amazing achievement

$487.40

Aaron & Janine Schleich

A great initiative to support a great cause. Lets get your fundraising hopper started. Good luck with the ride, not sure if you are hitting the Weipa black top or heading out, regardless, ride safe, have fun and pace yourself. All the best :)

$250

Yolandi & Brandon Henderson

Good luck with your ride, wishing you all the success.

$208.80

Lisa Baptista

Good luck with the ride Michelle!!!

$208.80

Glenn And Kelly

Good luck Michelle (and team!)

$207

Melinda Buckland

$104.40

Tim Ryan

This is a tough challenge for a great cause. Good luck and enjoy/ survive the ride!

$104.40

Patrick Cochrane

A great cause. Enjoy the ride Michelle! We'll set the ice bath up in the garden, ready for your arrival!

$104.40

Colin Dunn

Hey Michelle. Good luck...great cause....enjoy the ride!

$104.40

Luke Harvey

We’ll all be waiting for you when you arrive in Weipa. Don’t forget to smile for the camera!

$104.40

Harry Nevard

$104.40

Brendan Macfarlane

An amazing charity to support. Ride safe, stay hydrated and looking forward to seeing the photos of your cycling journey.

$104.40

Larnie Roberts

Good like with the ride. Such an important message regarding DV in our communities.

$104.40

Dale Hoffmann

Great job Michelle, and good promo photos for the region too.

$104.40

Kate Du Preez

Good luck and congratulations for raising awareness for such a good cause- domestic violence.

$104.40

Colleen And Brian Boag

Wonderful cause Michelle, enjoy the ride and stay safe. Wish we could be there to cheer you on the home strait.

$104.40

Julian F

Enjoy the ride

$104.40

Judy

Hi Michelle, What an awesome contribution you are making to those in need, happy to support your efforts in the small way of a donation, all the best for the ride, will be an experience you will remember from RTA Weipa for sure. Good luck. Judy

$104.40

Kelly Burke

$104.40

Wilco Jacobsz

$104.40

Sinead Kaufman

Good luck Michelle!

$104.40

Brett Douglas

Great work Michelle

$104.40

Sian Edwards

Congratulations on the ride Michelle - very inspiring and such great organisations to ride for.

$104.40

Bobbie Foot

Awesome work Michelle!

$104.40

Lesley Bryce

Get pedalling!

$100

Ivan

Great cause Michelle

$100

Terry Mattingley

Great stuff you legend, hopefully catch up soon. Love ya cuz

$100

Seelan Naicker

Fantastic energy and passion Michelle! I love it and thank you for leading the way!

$100

Steph Howden

$55.33

Cherie Woodham

Enjoy your ride

$52.20

Karin Baxter

$52.20

Keri Mcdermott

Great cause, Michelle - enjoy your challenge!

$52.20

Adam Clements

Just keep on keeping on; time multiplied by speed must consume the distance!

$52.20

Anonymous

Good luck, doing this in the build up will be a real test!

$52.20

Hannah Doohan

Good luck and enjoy the ride!!!

$52.20

Brendan

Best of luck. Try not to fall off the bike.

$52.20

Luke Wheeler

Enjoy the ride

$52.20

James Strachan

Great initiative Michelle and love the creativity in moving the ride from the Gold Coast to Cape York! Hope the imminent rain stays away for the ride!!

$52.20

Debbie Bostedt

Great job Michelle very proud of you.

$52.20

Liam Slattery

Great causes - best of luck.

$52.20

Michael Widmer

$52.20

Emerick Family

Great cause. Awesome effort

$52.20

Patrick Korman

$52.20

Dianne Elvy

Good luck

$52.20

Pat Heffernan

$52.20

Hayley Steyn

Impressive effort

$52.20

Dean Beltrame

Great cause and hope you enjoy the riding!

$50

Wendy

Go cuz go!

$50

Kylie Breadsell

Fantastic effort Michelle - safe ride!

$50

Matt Chambers

$41.76

Xf Zhuang

$31.32

Yinzhu Quan

Well done Michelle! Have fun!

$30

Adam Stanfield

Wonderful gift of giving to help others

$26.10

Leo Bowers

$20.88

Anonymous

$20.88

Scott Andrew Handley

$20.88

Anthony Lee

$20.88

Adrian

$20.88

Glenn Moore

$20.88

Hayden Steele

$20.88

Neil Doyle

Well done Michelle, certainly a challenging time of the year to be doing it!

$20.88

Louise Oakes

$20

Naomi Cook

$15.66

Anonymous

$10.44

Nicole Nilsson

Great work Michelle.

$10.44

Stephen Ball

Great cause, best of luck and enjoy the ride

$10.44

Snowden Tapper

Good luck!

$5.22