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20 Uniformed, APS and contracted civilian personnel from HMAS CAIRNS (CMDR Bob Heffey, RAN) recently took part in the 2009 Cairns to Cooktown Cardiac Challenge Charity Bikeride. The 15 riders and 5 support crew, were amongst 175 riders who departed Cairns on the 26th of September and arrived in Cooktown to a Mayoral reception 2 days later.
This was the third annual running of the event which covers 355 kms over the three days and the first in which Navy has been represented. The fundraising event is co-ordinated by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation with a goal of purchasing much needed cardiac equipment for the Cairns Base hospital. This years ride raised over $200,000 with the Navy team raising almost $13,000 through BBQs, carwashes and personal and web space sponsorships.
ABET Ty Cerlenizza was the stand out rider for Navy, winning the King of the Mountain title with a powerful climb of the Kuranda range on day 1. POPT Roger Roy was a close second, a stirling effort from the much older rider. Special mention should be made to Mrs Deb Lasserre (Clinical Nurse) who accepted the challenge of conquering the difficult range ride on the morning of Day 1.
All the riders were particularly pleased to make camp at Mt Carbine at the end of a very long (135kms) and very warm day 1. The support crew came into their own at the end of each day with the riders simply having to get as clean and as comfortable as possible before climbing into pre-erected tents for much needed rest. Team Physio, Sheryl Occampo was kept busy massaging away the first day aches and pains.
Day Two (115kms) which was considered by all to be the most difficult day, saw the Navy team wearing new Jerseys funded by Serco Sedexo. Head winds picked up considerably and the mercury rose to well above 40 degrees for most of the day. The country side also changed significantly with the flat terrain giving way to what some referred to as gentle undulations but what the riders referred to as freaking big hills, including the 3.7km long 10 percent climb of the Desaileys Range. After lunch came more hills and finally the descent of the 8 percent Byerstown Range which saw Pete Antcliff clock a reasonably rapid and ride record of 87.2 kms per hour before reaching the bottom. The end of riding for day two saw the riders again relying upon the outstanding work of the support crew with an ice bath waiting to revitalise very weary legs. Day 2 ended with a talent competition and LS Michelle Bush was the absolute standout and crowd favourite with acoustic covers of Missy Higgins and The Waifs.
Day Three started with a voluntary 2KM time trial and ABET Ty Cerlenizza again displayed his awesome power on the bike, winning his age group and coming second overall. The short but by no means easy day (85kms), involved plenty of hills and more headwinds but was well received by all with all 8 packs coming together for the last few kilometres and entry into Cooktown. The final night in Cooktown included a decent shower, a few well deserved beers, Pirate Rig, literally, and the coming together of some very tired people.Planning for the 2010 Charity Bikeride has already commenced and undoubtedly HMAS CAIRNS will once again be well represented.
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