The Mt Franklin Cardiac Challenge

The Mt Franklin Cardiac Challenge

One of the biggest fundraising bike rides in Queensland is on the eve of celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

The Mt Franklin Cardiac Challenge, cycling from Cairns to Cooktown, attracts up to 350 riders and their supporters each year, raising funds for cardiac services at Cairns Hospital.

The three-day, 333km ride attracts people from all walks of life: teenagers, new mums and retirees, cabinet makers and accountants, doctors, nurses and dentists, farmers, and pharmacists, pilots and school principals, lawyers, bus drivers and builders.

Each year, up to $350,000 is raised by riders and their supporters.

The man who came up with the idea for the Cardiac Challenge, 65-year-old Cairns man Peter McNally was born with congenital heart problems and still requires ongoing cardiac care. But he hasn't let that slow him down.

A cycling enthusiast, Peter persuaded the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation that a fundraising bike ride would be a great way to raise money to improve cardiac care services in the Far North, as well as encourage more people to get into cycling.

As the years have rolled by, fundraising efforts of the Cardiac Challenge is probably best reflected by the number of cardiologists and nurses from the Cardiac Care Unit at Cairns Hospital who take part in the event, along with former cardiac patients and others who have lost loved ones to heart disease.

At a personal level, many Cardiac Challenge participants describe the event as a 'life-changing experience": inspiring them to achieve new levels of fitness, step outside their comfort zone and take on fresh challenges, while also enjoying the camaraderie and support of the other riders.

Many form friendships during their training rides and the actual event, that become important connections throughout their lives.

Overseas and interstate participants, as well, appreciate the opportunity to experience the dramatically varying terrain of Far North Queensland in a very 'up close and personal" way: from the leafy, sun-dappled Kuranda Range road, winding upwards through lush rainforest to the Atherton Tablelands, across rolling golden savannah lands and on to the banks of the Endeavour River at Cooktown.

Since it was first held in 2007, fundraising efforts have saved untold lives through the introduction of the Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic, ultrasound for young patients, portable ultrasound for young patients, and intra-aortic balloon pumps.

On day one, September 17, cyclists will depart Cairns, many taking on the challenge of riding the famous Kuranda Range in safety via a partial road closure. Stopping at Kuranda for a well-earned coffee and then Mareeba for morning tea supplied by the local Rotary Club of Mareeba, riders then cycle through diverse landscapes ranging from wetlands to savannah, finally stopping at Mt Carbine after 137km to camp for the night.

Here, the Mt Carbine Horse Sports Association volunteers supply a traditional Australian bush meal of corned meat and veges.

On day two, cyclists and their supporters hit the road early, cycling through drought-parched traditional outback landscape, and the next big 'challenge" of the event – a muscle-screaming 3.7km up the Desailly Range.

A reviving lunch stop at the historic Palmer River Roadhouse, home to goldrush stories aplenty, leads to one of the most fun parts of the ride – the downhill spin via the Byerstown Range.

Our campground on day two after 126km, is the Lakeland School, where the P&C association provides another fabulous dinner, and Polynesian performers entertain the crowds.

Day three is the final push, an easy 85km into Cooktown, passing by the stunning rock formations of Black Mountain before gathering on the outskirts of the iconic town and riding in together as a giant pack. An awards ceremony and final dinner is held that night in the Cooktown entertainment centre.

Riders travel the Challenge in packs, with escort vehicles and pack leaders front and rear of each pack. As well, police travel with the ride, managing all traffic and ensuring a safe and smooth ride for participants and any traffic they come into contact with.

To date, the ride has raised more than $2.5 million with 2016 expected to be one of our biggest years yet.

www.cardiacchallenge.com.au

facebook.com/cardiac.challenge