Ten years ago today, I began my first Great Cycle Challenge, an annual cycling fundraiser for juvenile cancers research. October is when Australia the GCC. In 2014, I was well into my second year of my own (old bugger's) cancer journey, diagnosed in May 2013, surgery in December, chemo for the first months of 2014. In the clear by July, so I wanted to give something back to the cancer specialists and researchers who'd made my survival possible. October 2014 was no massive contribution to cancer research funding on my part. I was just cycling to work and back to restore my fitness. 25km/day round trip, a few longer jaunts, pushing about 5 days a week. I raised about $550, give or take. I retired from working life 2 months later. Unexpected, but a wonderful turn of events. The next year was something! The adventure of a lifetime cycling in Vietnam, gall bladder out a month after I got back, and another health rebuild. Then the 2015 GCC, 1100km and 11 days, riding from Melbourne to Sydney. Yeah, people do it way faster, but I was doing it with signage and a donation bucket on the bike for the GCC. $1000 was my target, I made $1500 for the Juvenile Cancers Research Foundation. Again, others raised more and rode more, but I'd never had that much success in a 'thon in my life. The following year, 2016, my circle had donor fatigue, I didn't have the budget for a big trip away, so I set out to do rides around Melbourne, heading out from home every day with my bucket. The collection languished a bit and I figured it was somebody else's turn for a while. So, to those heading out to raise funds today, GCC or other event, I salute you! You are heroes! You ROCK! Since my heart attack, coming on for 4 years ago, I've been trying to rebuild like I did in 2014, after cancer. It's no happening like back then, and that's an understatement! But I'm thinking of you lot out there on your fundraisers. If I see you, I'll holler and ask for your donation details. OR, drop a comment in one of these bloggettes with those donation details and I'll see what I can scratch up this payday. Ride safely, enjoy the ride, Crunchy PS: The pic is from my 2015 ride to Sydney. One of those times I think of as "Glory Days," as per the Bruce Springsteen song.