Nat Bromhead
HOW does cycling 330km from Cairns, through rainforest, across rolling golden savannah lands and on to the banks of the Endeavour River in Cooktown sound?
A well-established fundraising ride in Far North Queensland can take you there, making lifelong friendships during the September 14-16 ride.
The QSuper Cardiac Challenge is not just any ride – it’s a journey of hope, resilience, and camaraderie that makes a real difference in heart patients’ lives.
Every kilometre you conquer helps fund vital cardiac services, bringing patients closer to breakthroughs that save lives.
Camp under the stars, meet the locals and hear first-hand from cardiologists who take part, why heart disease is so prevalent in FNQ, and how the QSuper Cardiac Challenge is saving lives.
The route includes some of the most stunning scenery in the Wet Tropics, Dry Tropics and World Heritage National Parks of Tropical North Queensland, starting in Cairns and progressing inland through the Kuranda range, Speewah, Mareeba, Mt Molloy, Mt Carbine, the Desailly Range, Lakeland, Palmer River and finishing by the sea in Cooktown.
Riders enjoy the leafy, sun-dappled Kuranda Range road, winding upwards through lush rainforest to the Atherton Tableland, across rolling golden savannah lands and on to the banks of the Endeavour River, Cooktown.
“It included many, many hills, 38+ degree heat, and a sucker of a mountain range (Desailly Range) which, after some massive encouragement, I made it to the top, to zoom down again and re-join my fellow rider friends in celebration. It’s something I will never forget.”
Heath Schreiweis
Ride in fully supported packs at a speed that suits you, with stops about every 20km for drinks, fruit and a snack. If a particular hill is too tough, simply hop in the rear escort vehicleuntil the next stop.
The three-day, 333km ride attracts people from all walks of life: teenagers, new mums and retirees, cabinet makers, accountants, doctors, nurses, dentists, farmers, pharmacists, pilots, school principals, lawyers, bus drivers, police and builders.
Organisers have made the whole experience as easy as possible – tents are available for hire and all meals are provided. Literally all you need to do is hop on your bike and ride.
Irrespective of your reason/s for taking part in the Cardiac Challenge, by the time you reach Cooktown you will be riding high!
Past participants tell us that hearing how the doctors can do amazing things with the world class equipment and facilities this event has given them is something, as a community, we are immensely proud of.
Don’t wait – saddle up and make a difference today! Your heart will thank you for it, and so will the innumerable lives you’ll save along the way.
Since inception in 2007, the ride has raised more than $6 million, which has bought numerous pieces of life-saving primarily cardiac equipment.
Sign up and start fundraising to fix hearts in FNQ. Visit www.cardiacchallenge.com.au for more information and to register.
Keen to know more? Here’s everything you need to know about joining the QSuper CadiacChallenge.
What’s involved
Register today and start training and fundraising. Save with the Early Bird discount which expires May 31, 2024. Meet in Cairns on September 13 and then pedal with your new mates from September 14-16. Riding the Kuranda Range is optional but if you can, it’s a highly recommended experience.
Who can participate
Anyone! We do recommend training beforehand (you can find a training schedule on our website), particularly in packs, as this will make the experience more enjoyable. After all, no one ever called it the Cardiac Easy, it is long, it is hot and it is hilly, but the scenery andcamaraderie is amazing. Riders aged from 12-16 must be accompanied by a parent but “mature” ages is limited only by your
Where is it?
Cairns to Cooktown – up hills and down dales, finally arriving in the beautiful and historic locale of Captain James Cook’s landing on the shores of the Endeavour River.
Why should I register to ride?
In Far North Queensland, heart disease is still the number one killer and the region is one of the worst in Australia in terms of the burden of cardiovascular disease.
Register and create your own fundraiser today. www.cardiacchallenge.com.au
