I'm sitting here at a rediculous time of the morning, after a bit of a tough night... I'm happy to say though... we did it!

With your support, we've raised a load of money, which is desperately needed by the good folk at MS Australia. Oh yeah, and I conquered the 90km course!

I've got to say, 90kms isn't all that far, but when you bring in the massive hills that we were faced with... WOW! I think I got a little dehydrated during the ride and I've woken up a little sunburnt this morning, but yes, before you ask, I did have sunscreen on. The temperature hit 32c during the ride, and I don't do hot weather at the best of times. Anyway, a very small price to pay for an outstanding result. I read something not long ago from someone who I really admire. She wrote, "We hold a power within that is farther than even the imagination. We have the ability 2 go where it seems unreachable."

The money that you've donated will go a long way to helping MS Australia in its research. Every dollar counts, so there's been no small donation - it's all crucial. Thank you so much for putting your support behind me. It's so incredibly humbling.

Finally, I'd just like to thank everyone who was there for me during the ride, the support crew, namely Paola, Bev, Lauren, Brian and Damien.  I'd also like specially thank Kat and Wayne who took up the challenge themselves in memory of my mum. They made the 90km track, which let me say is no easy feat!  My darling Ashika who has been there for everything significant in my life for the last few years. Ashika and Sahil came to pick me up at the end of the ride... and boy did I need that! (see the pic of Ash and I at the finish line with our yummy nudies?) You guys are the best! Last but not least, to my soulmate Andy. You've put up with my psychosis around this event for the last few weeks. Your support of everything I do is just amazing. I'm so glad I could share this with you.   Thank you for supporting me!

Oh my gosh... it's only two more sleeps to go before this massive undertaking.  I'm now getting advice from people left right and centre... do this, don't do that... I need to just put the old blinkers on and just believe that I'm going to make it.   The reality is, I know I will, I just want to don't want to feel like crap at the finish line.

I'm just so excited that our team is doing such an amazing job on the fundraising front.  It brings tears to my eyes but joy to my heart that people are putting their hard earned dollars towards MS.  You guys are the true champions!

My local paper The Southern Courier printed a story in this weeks edition about my ride journey. Check it out - http://southern-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/90kms-on-a-bike-for-ms/

Ok, I'll sign off here.

Again, with all my heart, thank you for your support of me and MS.

Sam

Ok, well at least I've completely gotten the hang of riding a bike again.  Actually I'm quite proud of myself... I can only manage to get out on my bike once a week, but have now cracked the "being able to do 40 kms in a ride" mark. 

My ride strategy is really just to finish, not to become Sammy "Cadel Evans" Kelliher! 

I think though that being able to finish has become more of a reality because of the amazing people who have put their hard earned dollars behind me to support this brilliant MS cause.

I'm just about to hit $3000 in my fundraising, with a goal of $2000 more and with 8 weeks to go, I'm well on track.

Thank you for putting your support for this cause through me... I'm a woman on a mission and you're helping it come to life.

One of my long time BFFs Kat Poulsen has decided to bite the bullet and come on this ride with me.  Kat and I have been friends for many years, but I'm humbled by her telling of why she's taking part in this event.  Kat's one of a very small number of friends who knew my mum, so I just feel like I need to share her story with everyone - http://register.gongride.org.au/2011-Sydney-to-Gong-Ride/KatPoulsen

I'm blessed to have been given some amazing people to share my life with!

It's been really interesting.

As I've been on this journey starting to fundraise for this AMAZING cause, I've come across more people than I had expected to who either live with, or know someone, that has MS.

In my office alone, there are three of my colleagues whose partners have MS.

So I guess this makes my mission even bigger. 

Sure, I have a connection with MS from my mum, but there are so many others who are living with the disease and could really do with more research into making their lives easier.

This is now about you... what can you do to make a difference?  It's simple... just click on the donate now button (the big red one!) and be part of the solution.  It's that easy and that warm and fuzzy feeling you get will be because you're making a difference.

Thanks for your support!

Sam :)

Well, I've now done my first training session.  Went for a ride on Sunday - actually did about 30kms... not a bad attempt for my first ride I'm thinking.  Mind you, this event is three times that!

I'm really starting to wonder if I'll be able to complete this event, but I guess like anything, once you pass through the pain and exhaustion barrier, you could just go forever.

I know that the way that I'm going to have to train is by slowly building up my endurance, but the only problem is, is that I can't really ride during the week.... Oh well, I guess I'll find a way.

I hope I know what I'm doing!

I'm still trying to work out if I was accidentally hit in the head last week, because today I find myself signed up for the 2011 Sydney to the Gong Ride.  I guess not...

At the beginning of this year, I decided to get fit, and one of my goals was to participate in (and hopefully finish) one event this year.  Well, this looks like it!  The MS Sydney to the Gong Ride...

I've told a couple of people now that I'm taking part, and everyone keeps asking me how long I've been riding.... I can't understand their surprise when I tell them that I started last Thursday!  I learnt how to ride a bike as a kid, but actually getting hold of a bike and starting to train as a "proper rider" is really new to me.

Today I'll actually start my first bit of training, so fingers crossed this is a really smart move.

So why am I doing this?  Well, in 1996 my mum died with MS.  She'd been diagnosed with it when she was 17, so I'd never known her any other way.  Not only that, but her two first cousins (of which all three were best friends as children) were also diagnosed with MS.

Research into this disease has come so far over the years.  Doctors had told her that she wouldn't live very long after her diagnosis, specially if she had children, but she proved them wrong going on to have two happy and healthy kids.

I think that raising funds for MS is critical. 

Please support me by making a donation (which of course is tax dedictable) as I set off on my 90km journey.

Thanks and check back to see my blog updates.

Sam :)

Did you know?

* The average age of diagnosis of MS is just 30 years

* MS affects three times as many women as men

MS Australia aims to minimise the impact of multiple sclerosis on all individuals affected by the disease, as well as their families, carers and the community, by offering a wide range of services, equipment and support. MS Australia's goal is to assist everyone affected by MS to live life to their fullest potential and secure the care and support they need, until we ultimately find a cure.

Please DONATE by clicking on the button to the right and help MS Australia support all people affected by multiple sclerosis.