Sponsor a rider in the 2011 Cardiac Challenge

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any hills?

There are two ranges - Kuranda on Day 1 and Desailey’s on Day2. You do not have to ride them! In fact we have some strict guidelines to adhere to under our Police permit such as no-one will be allowed to start up the Kuranda range after 7.00am and you must be able to complete the range in a reasonable time.

There will be transportation co-ordination points at the base of the ranges where the Army personnel will co-ordinate loading of bikes into the trucks and the Sunbus will be ready for those not riding the ranges.

Your private support can take you and your bike up the ranges to the designated drop zones but they must adhere to the ‘stop and drop’ principle – i.e. drop your rider and bike and go on.

Riding the ranges will be at your own risk. THERE WILL BE NO ESCORTING OR ASSISTANCE POSSIBLE ON THE RANGES.

The rest - we prefer to call them "undulations"!

There is also a steep downhill down the Byerstown Range at 8%. There is a speed limit on the range - do not exceed this and we don’t want any accidents! The wind can cut across some of the downhill sections and catch you unaware so be careful.

I am unsupported – what happens with my gear and bike?

When registering for the ride, you will need to ensure you register for return travel. You will be issued a bus ticket and luggage tags etc to assist with labelling your gear and ensuring we have the numbers for the bus(s).

You will need to bring your gear to Cazalys on Friday night for the briefing. A truck and Army personnel will be on hand to load and supervise your gear.Please keep to a 22 kg limit and ensure you provide a flattened bike box or suitable packing for your bike for transportation back to Cairns. You must label and name all your gear and packing / boxes. No gear will be accepted onSaturday morning unless by special arrangement with The Hospital Foundation well before the ride.

A small day pack, if required, can be given to one of your escort vehicles. You must remember to collect it as it is not the Escorts responsibility to find you.

For the trip back to Cairns, you need to prepare your bike for loading &/or load your bike the night before. The bus returning to Cairns will leave from the school at 9.00am. If you are staying elsewhere you will need to be at the school and ready to leave on time. Please ensure you register with Bill the bus driver the night before so he can check you are on the bus before leaving.

You and your gear and bike will be dropped back to Cazalys approximately 1 – 1.30pm Tuesday 27th September 2011.

What about food and drink on the ride

The Escort vehicles will be given daily supplies of fruit and nibbles as well as water and electrolyte replacement powder.

Your Escort vehicles will have instructions for pre-determined suitable stopping areas that will be approximately 20-25kms apart. Being self-sufficient though, you can stop whenever or wherever you need to but this will be up to your Pack leader.

Please ensure that you get well off the road with your bikes when stopping at the drinks stops and DO NOT lean your bikes against any Escort vehicles.

Can I change groups if I find I am really in the wrong speed group?

Yes - but please negotiate this with your Pack Leader & ensure others in your pack know so they don’t think you are lost or left behind!

What if I get a flat tyre on the ride or have a mechanical breakdown?

You should have spare tubes, bike levers and a small pump with you and you should be able to change a tyre. Check our website regularly for information about bike maintenance classes! When pack riding, call out that you have a flat and your pack will stop where it is safe to do so and wait for you to change your tyre. Some of the more experienced riders or your Pack Leader will no doubt offer assistance to help the change the tyre quickly and allow the pack to get back on the road. The rear Escort vehicle should also have a foot pump you can use.

If another pack comes up to your group while you are stopped, your Pack Leader may hold your pack back a little so you don’t catch them up too quickly and be forced to pass them.

Alternatively, you can hop into the rear vehicle and catch a ride to the next drinks stop to change your tyre. Rear vehicles will have bike racks and some seating for this reason.

Hutch will be our on-ride mechanic. His fees will cover any parts and spares he uses and his “fee” is actually a donation towards the fundraising so please give generously.

In preparation for the ride Pump N Pedals Cairns will hold two Bike Maintenance Classes in August.

Riders insurance / am I insured in case of accident?

In short – no. The ride is covered for public liability only. If you want insurance that covers you on your own training rides, group rides and on the event, Bicycle Queensland offers insurance for a mere $90 for individuals or $125 (unlimited family members or max. three unrelated people at one residential address)......$.

This will cover you for injuries whenever you are riding and for an extra fee you can also insure you bike as well.

For more information go to:http://www.bq.org.au/membership

What if my jersey is the wrong size?

Don’t forget, you nominated the size but sometimes it just doesn’t always run smoothly. At the pre-ride briefing you may be able to find someone else to swap with or if there are spare jerseys you may be in luck for a swap.

Registrations received after the 1 July 2011 cannot be guaranteed your selected size.

Will there be medical support on the ride?

Yes – The ride is fully supported and we have the dedicated Cardiac Team as part of the ride.

Please ensure if you are not feeling well or are too fatigued on the ride that you let your Pack leader or a member of the Ride Management Team know so they can monitor your progress or take any necessary action.

You will need to be responsible otherwise, for any known medical conditions and ensure you have any necessary medications with you as there is limited medical assistance between Mareeba and Cooktown.

What If I have ideas to make it better or if I’m not happy?

If you are unhappy or have a problem, have any suggestions for changing, improving or removing things that are not working well, talk with your Pack Leader or a member of the Ride Management Team so we can aim to negotiate a better outcome for the benefit of everyone and future rides.

We are more than happy to receive constructive feedback. (Remember too, we may not be able to do what you think should happen – we have to think of the whole group and not just individual participants). Please do not keep problems to yourself or grumble to others who are not able to fix it. Let’s try to sort it before it festers. All feedback emails should be directed to:fundraising@fnqhf.com.au

We will also be running an online survey after the ride.