2008 Reflections

Matthew Ward

What was your involvement in Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

Uncle, brother, and rider.

What did Cycle 4 Sam mean to you?

Cycle for Sam represents an experience to celebrate many important things in our lives.
First and foremeost, the life of Sam, who was a beacon of courage to many many people.
Secondly, through raising money for a good cause, a chance for us to give back to the community.
The ride also provided a chance to enjoy spending time with family and friends away from the trappings of everyday living.
Cycle4Sam is a huge celebration of healthy living, living life to the fullest, and in particular, the spirit of cooperation and contribution (organisers, support crew and riders). Finally, Cycle4Sam allowed us to relish and appreciate the beautiful country in which we live.

What was your favourite memory of Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

Seeing Doug Harrower enjoy his time with the group

What did you personally achieve?

7 days without a beer.

Any other comments?

Well done michelle and marty, and MASSIVE thanks to ALL the support crew and support families.

Judy Ward

Involvement
Cycle4Sam rides naturally have to be held in School Holidays, a very busy business time for us , & each one has been more or less "out of the question". Just before the start of this Tour of S.A , Marty let us know that our 4-wheel drive was desperately needed to transport 3 delicate carbon-framed cycles & I was delighted to discover I had absolutely no choice but to join the crew for 3 and a half days. I was thrilled!! (Thanks to Sam's Pa for the "leave-pass"!) Pa Russell & I also joined for a few hours on the stretch from Cape Jervis to Normanville. My involvement in the planning was comparatively minimal, apart from making the initial contact with the Chelsea Theatre for the Film Night which launched the Tour, and whatever I could offer along the way.

What it meant to me.
Most importantly, all the fund-raising events and celebrations, give us the opportunity to show how Sam's short life has made such a difference to so many in so many ways. On the drive up to the Flinders I had the rare & enjoyable experience of spending several hours with my son, (King of the Mountain), Mats Ward. The whole time I spent with the group, -(and I know the rest of the Tour)- was a real "buzz". Excitement, relaxation, catching up with family members, old & new friends.

Favourite Memories
The whole experience left me with cherished memories. I did enjoy spending time with the children on our walks in Alligator Gorge (cut short by the sightings of several snakes!) and up to the monument at Melrose. The great fun of seeing the children raising money towards shaving Uncle Mats' legs, the chase & the carrying out of the deed. The opportunity to drive through so much of the countryside of our State at the loveliest time of the year.

Personal achievement.
I was there! - Even if only for a short time.

Other comments
One can only be impressed with the riders' dedication to the cause of Cycle4Sam, their training regime, their amazing fitness, & that the ride concluded injury-free.

The support crews' planning and hard work during the Tour was crucial to its success.
I am just so delighted for Michelle, Marty, Lucy & Charlie with the success of the Tour,- as a successful fund-raiser, and a very special commemoration of a special life.

Kristie Gallio

What was your involvement in Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

My role was the accommodation logistics person, the support bus driver and “goffer” for the cyclists for the 8 days of Cycle4Sam (I got good at predicting the cyclists wishes!!!)

What did Cycle 4 Sam mean to you?

This was my second Cycle4Sam and it meant a lot to be involved again. This time it was not only a chance to catch up with and continue the friendships of the last trip but also a chance to form friendships with new people who joined us on this trip. It also gave us the opportunity to work together as a team to continue our support of families with children who palliative care needs. Gotta love the Roberts Family – inspirational!!

What was your favourite memory of Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

My favourite memory would have to be driving over the rise at Flinders Chase and seeing the riders “fly” down the road towards Remarkable Rocks. Spectacular view, spectacular day, spectacular moment. Brendan was hanging out the window with the movie camera, the bus was full or spectators and the cyclists were breaking the speed limit!!!! It meant all that much more because of the struggle I witnessed daily of getting up the hills – especially the ones leading out to Remarkable Rocks – what a reward!!
Seeing the changing South Australian landscape was also amazing – I guess we don’t always appreciate our own back yard!! Flinders to the midnorth to the vines of the Clare and Barossa Valleys to the Coorong and Murray through to the Victor Harbor and then over to Kangaroo Island and then the Adelaide Hills - Amazing
My other highlight – the opportunity to eat Fruchoc Golden North Icecream in Laura – two south Australian Icons rolled into one!!! It was the best.

What did you personally achieve?

I think that it was a great team effort – the cyclists did a great job but without the support team of cooks, masseuses, drivers etc etc it would have been a lot more difficult.
Personally I achieved 8 days of avoiding motion sickness, even on the KI ferry.
Also having the company of so many different people in the bus, Owen, Penny, Frankie and my own personal DJ Milly Warley – what a cool chick!! helped alleviate what could have been a VERY LONG 8 days travelling at 27.5 km/hr

Any other comments?

A great time spent with great people achieving a worthwhile and fantastic goal!!!

Pete Roberts

What was your involvement in Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?
I was a one of the riders in the team.

What did Cycle 4 Sam mean to you?
Cycle 4 Sam is a chance for me to connect with my brother, his family and his amazing group of friends. It’s an opportunity to

What was your favourite memory of Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?
Getting to the top of the Cape Jervis hill … a climb that I’d been worried about for the 3 days prior (since we’d ridden down it). After 7 days on the bike, I could cover the long distances no problem, but the thought of a 6km, high-grade climb was not fun … especially for a heavy guy. Going up the hill, I really needed to dig deep and focus on what was important. I was able to think about Sam and how his spirit could help fuel me to the top. I think it was the time on the ride when my whole reason for being out there hit home.

What did you personally achieve?
I rode my bike further, higher and faster than I’d ever done before, and experience countryside that I’d loved as a child. I got to spend great time with the others in my family and my nieces & nephews – it was like an old family vacation! Best of all, I got to share 8 days on the bike with people I love: my brother Marty, my sister Frankie, my wife Becky; and with an incredible team of riders – generous, free-spirited, fun and focused.

Any other comments
I often reflect on how the riders, plus Kristie and my Dad (drivers of the support vehicle) functioned as a team. This was a wonderful example of how people can come together, push themselves, help others and achieve a common goal when they are all focused on a common, galvanizing and worthwhile objective. Everyone found a role and everyone delivered, especially our fabulous team captains Jamie and Richard.

Becky Roberts

What was your involvement in Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?
I was one of the riders.

What did Cycle 4 Sam mean to you?
Cycle 4 Sam was a time for me to support Marty, Michelle and my husband Pete.
An opportunity to fundraise for other families with palliative children.

What was your favourite memory of Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?
The sense of team work when riding fast in the pace line; the sense of community from all the towns and people who prepared morning tea; the feeling of love and support from all the support crew – the drivers, the cooks, the masseuse, the cheer squad.
Arriving at our final destination each day to cheering children, family and friends then enjoying sitting around with a glass of wine or beer and catching up with every one and reflecting on the days achievement.
Seeing beautiful SA, so green and lush
Eating, eating and eating again.
Kristys Century bread

What did you personally achieve?
Completing the hardest physical challenge I’m ever likely to endure

Any other comments
I wanted to thank Sam, Marty Michelle, Lucy and Charlie for inspiring us all to raise money for others in times of need. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend 8 days with so many amazing people and to be surrounded by such powerful positive energy.
I can’t thank everyone enough for getting me through the ride. Each day brought with it a new set of challenges, both physical and mental. I could not have made it to the end without the support of everyone, especially our team captains Jamie and Richard.
Cycle 4 Sam is an experience I will treasure for ever, looking back on with a smile and sense of pride.

Richard Fuller

What was your involvement in Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?
Rider and co-captain

What did Cycle 4 Sam mean to you?
Mateship, family support and strength, teamwork, giving/contributing, celebration, perseverence, bravery, committment, fun, fitness, satisfaction

What was your favourite memory of Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?
Having my kids ride with me.
Contributing to a great team effort.
Seeing and sensing the emotions of riding into Adelaide on the final day.

What did you personally achieve?
Happiness and friendship.

Any other comments ?
The ride itself was superbly organized and supported. So many individuals have contributed so much to make it all possible and a great success.

Richard Fuller (Rider, Wilpena to Adelaide)

Kate Allen

What was your involvement in Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

I was the food carrier and pseudo-nurse - but those titles were very vague ones I think! :) I believe my duties were largely decorative, but I would like to think I was there to support the riders and to be a part of a really important, life-changing, fun event.

What did Cycle 4 Sam mean to you?

For me Cycle 4 Sam was a means by which monies were raised for the Palliative Centre at the Women's and Children's Hospital. Having been one of Sam's primary nurses and having worked on the 4th Floor for nearly 10 years, where a lot of the funds were utilised from the last ride, I am only too aware of how much is lacking in the clinical hospital setting for long-term parents and their children. Cycle 4 Sam was a great incentive for others to get involved and donate, as there have been tangible outcomes from it. The long-term room built on the 4th Floor with the funds from the last tour has been utilised, and the feedback from these parents has been nothing but positive and grateful.

On a personal note, meeting Sam and his family, relatives and friends was a life-changing experience for me, and one that I am always grateful for despite the circumstances. Cycle 4 Sam was a way of me remembering Sam and his strength, courage and impact on all those who met him. Sam and his family taught me so much about dignity and grace under extreme circumstances, and nursing Sam was a time that will stay in my heart for the rest of my days.

What was your favourite memory of Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

I don't know that I can pinpoint one memory, as it was such an incredible week, so I will list a few briefly instead.

- Meeting so many fantastic new people, their children and their relatives.
- Catching up with the Roberts and Wards again, and getting to know them as "Kate" rather than in a professional capacity.
- The night in Victor Harbour when everyone sat around outside watching Michelle and her posse give massages, drinking beers and wine, laughing and chatting. One of my favourite nights for sure.
- The night in Vivonne Bay - everyone had really bonded and the auction was so successful. Hearing that the staff had donated their earnings for the night really warmed my heart.
- Rooming with Roxanne Price nearly every night - Heath, Rox and myself became firm friends, and many nights were spent chatting and giggling like children.
- Coming over the hill in the van (the only time I wasn't in the food truck!) and seeing Remarkable Rocks for the first time - took my breath away.
- Seeing the riders coming over the hill in the middle of nowhere and feeling such pride and awe at what they were doing.

What did you personally achieve?

I achieved so much from this week that it would be impossible to condense it or adequately describe it. I loved meeting all the amazing people along the way, who donated their time, food, kind words etc. It really restored my faith in the human spirit and made me so proud to be a part of Cycle 4 Sam. What we all achieved in the way of raising funds and of course the cyclists riding that incredible distance with a smile on their faces the entire time, was really remarkable. I felt really proud to be a part of it the entire time, and even more so when we returned and relayed tales to our friends and relatives.

I had never been to Kangaroo Island and I had never driven a huge van without a map across South Australia solo. I was blown away every day by the beauty of this state and my camera had a real workout along the way! I love being a part of the team, and I loved working with Margaret (Marty's Mum) and her crew every day and feeding the riders. I also enjoyed hanging out with Heath and sharing his week and his experience - like all the riders he was such an inspiration and I am so proud of him.

Any other comments ?

Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart Marty, Michelle, your family, friends and all other helpers. Thank you for organising such an incredible event and for allowing me to be a part of it. It is said that you can judge a person or persons by the company that they keep, and Marty and Michelle keep such pretty fine company indeed. It was an honour to meet all your friends and relatives and share in this experience. I have never had one like it, and I will never ever forget it. I can't wait for the next Cycle 4 Sam. Sammy would be so proud...:) Thank you again.

Kate Allan

Caroline Ward

our involvement was only 2 days (unfortunately). We were part of the supporters and wine drinkers.... would have like to participate further but couldn't this year.

cycle for sam means it is a lot of fun, going on an adventure, all for a wonderful cause for a beautiful boy sammy. We love him always and miss him dearly.

favourite memory was seeing matts win king of the mountain - go my little bro!!!

Mark Reid

After a successful and very rewarding ride from Torquay to Adelaide in 2006 for the inaugural Cycle 4 Sam, I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in the Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia. It has been an absolute privilege to be involved in this event and something that makes me forever grateful. Not only does the money raised go towards a great cause to try and ease some of the suffering that families endure, but it also brings communities together and unites people. The generosity and good will throughout the country towns, and the support from communities within Adelaide, has been amazing and truly uplifting.

Cycle 4 Sam to me is about looking for the silver lining, about having the half full glass not the half empty one. It's about joining with families and friends to celebrate life and in the process make someone else's' life a little brighter. It reminds me that life is a challenge, but it's the way that you tackle these challenges that ultimately affects the way you live your life. Cycle 4 Sam is certainly a challenge, both physically and mentally. It's a challenge to get up at the crack of dawn for 8 days and know that you need to sit on a bike for the next 8-10 hours. It can be a little heart breaking as you pull out on to the first road for the day and the wind is blowing in your face, or one of your knees has a sore spot, or your quads are hurting already. You know that the pain is not going to go away today, and there is a fair chance it will be their tomorrow too, but then perspective becomes the saviour. You realise that you are lucky to be up with the sun as the morning IS the best time of the day. Perspective reminds you that the pain in your knee and quads is only short term; it helps you remember that other people endure a lot more pain for a lot longer.

Looking back on the ride and trying to identify favourite memories is almost as hard as the ride itself. There are so many moments that come to mind, both on the bike and off it. Leaving the picturesque 'lawns' of Hawker Caravan Park was probably the earliest pleasurable memory. For those that did not have the privilege of visiting Hawker, there was not a blade of grass to speak of, but this did not stop them from erecting signs to ask people not to park on lawned areas. The releasing of the balloons at the start of the ride was a very symbolic act and will forever stay in my heart, as does the releasing of the balloons at Torquay in 2006. The first flat tyre took a lot of pressure of me (pardon the pun) as i was the reigning title holder from the previous ride. Sally took this honour before a pedal was turned. Three memories already and we haven't rode 1 km of the 1100 kms yet!

Melrose pub was a welcome site at the end of day 1; this is one of the best country pubs i have ever visited. Scones at Martindale Hall and the Community tea at Tungkillo were great memories. In regards to the cycling, having the pace line travel in the mid 40's was a great experience, sitting on the front with Shane O'Brien doing all the hard work and me receiving all the compliments was another memorable moment. Then of course the rub down at the end of the day by the beautiful wives of fellow riders made it all worth while! Experience from the 2006 tour taught me that if you ensure the rub down girls have a glass of bubbly then your rub time is extended exponentially based on the number of glasses available. I still have fond memories of the banter and camaraderie from within the peloton and am very grateful of the friendships that were formed in the tight lira while on two wheels.

To my 'roomies' Tim 'the Wheeze' Edmonds and Shane 'Grumpy' O'Brien, our beer sponsor Dougie, our gadget whizzes Peter and Becky, our mega cyclist from megabike Foxy Roxy, our Kiwanis representative Coxy, our very own Tom 'Chewbacker' Heath, and the former King of the Mountain Matts, its been a blast to ride with you all and I hope we will unite in the years to come to once again tear up the bitumen. I would also like to thank our fearless leaders, Jaimie 'the compass' Holland and Richard 'magic hands' Fuller who ensured that the team headed in the right direction as quickly as possible with as few problems as possible. To get 12 riders over 1100km with no major incidents is a feat in itself and credit to these great men. Finally, i would like to thank the people who initiated this whole project, the people who make this great event possible, the people who have inspired so many to unite and raise awareness to help others in their time of need. From the bottom of my heart i would like to thank Marty and Michelle Roberts for their tireless work and inspirational endeavour to establish this successful foundation. It is from these two people, along with Lucy, Sam and Charlie, that the rest of us draw our energy to assist in anyway possible.

I look forward to 2010!

Jamie Holland

What was your involvement in Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

My involvement in Cycle 4 Sam was as one of the riders. I was also honoured to be asked by Marty to be one of the co-captains. Fortunately, I was able to participate in the full tour for the whole 8 days. My wife, Wendy, children, Jack, Chloe and Emily and my parents Ian and Gay also came along for half of this journey. It was wonderful to share it with them and the other families.

What did Cycle 4 Sam mean to you?

This meant the world to me – on a personal level it was an opportunity to indulge in my passion of cycling with great mates, through some spectacular scenery, on our own private tour. On a family level it was so wonderful to go away on a journey with other like-minded families and to see them interacting with each other in so many positive ways. On a professional level it was empowering to see the compassion and energy of the students I teach and the generosity and support of my colleagues.

What was your favourite memory of Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

My favourite memory was our epic day on Kangaroo Island – Kingscote to Vivonne Bay via Remarkable Rocks – a certain synchronicity had developed in the team and we just all clicked. There was loads of encouragement, many laughs and gentle heckling! We helped each other brilliantly throughout the tour but this day everything seemed to come together. We were blessed with favourable weather and little wind. We all seemed to sense the significance of our time at Remarkable Rocks, with the Southern Ocean as the backdrop to our photos; a striking contrast to our start days earlier under the red cliffs of Wilpena Pound. Flying back from the coast as a tight team was a most memorable “hour of power”.

What did you personally achieve?

I managed to break a few personal bests in terms of number of kilometres in a day and a weekly and monthly total that will take some time to beat. I was thrilled with how the body held up for this tour and felt that the legs could have kept going – I have never felt fitter in my life and hopefully was able to pull my weight as part of this incredible team of riders. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to be part of the genesis of this crazy idea and to help Marty and Michelle to plan it, train for it and see it through to completion.

Any other comments?

To the incredible Roberts and Ward families – thanks for everything you do for others. Thanks also to our wonderful support drivers, Kristie, Turtle and Penny. Thanks to Kate the uber-nurse; Jane, Susan, CJ and Michelle the masseuses from heaven; to Nanna and Dutch for your support and to all of the wives, partners and kids – thanks for being part of this adventure. To the riders – thanks for true teamwork and incredible memories that will last a lifetime – for me it was the equivalent of a premiership win with mates and one of the best things I have ever done. Finally to Marty, Michelle, Lucy and Charlie – you inspire so many by the way you live your lives. Anyone wanna ride?

Margaret Roberts

Hi – I’m Margaret Roberts (Sam’s Granny) – as I’m past the “riding years”, I joined the Cycle4Sam – Tour of South Australia, doing what I’ve had years of practice at – feeding the troops! Sam’s Poppy, Peter, came along too and helped out by driving the support vehicle during the Kangaroo Island leg of the tour.

The “Tour” was a lot of fun, with lots of wonderful memories, new friends plus…..we raised quite a significant amount of money for Palliative Care at the Women’s & Children’s Hospital, in memory of our darling Sam, and to help provide support for other families during a very difficult and painful time.

It was only by taking part in the ride that I realised what an enormous undertaking it was – planning the route, finding and booking accommodation etc. I’m very proud of Michelle and Marty for their excellent organisation as the whole event went very smoothly.

Cycle4Sam meant sharing special time with our family and other friends who’d been on Sam’s journey with us. Our daughter, Frankie, had her first experience of a “big” ride. Son, Pete, and his wife Becky, joined the ride from Vancouver, Canada. As well as Lucy and Charlie, two other grandchildren, Milly and Tom Warley travelled with us too. Their mother, our other daughter, Julia, and husband, Michael (who made the great laksa at Kingscote), and their youngest, Oliver, also came for a few days as did Frankie’s children, Gemma and Patrick. Dominic, Karen and Alexandra were at Normanville for the last night and our youngest son, John, organised the welcome home party. An extra bonus was having our nephews, Brendan and Jeremy involved in filming and doing PR. It was a real family affair.

There are so many special memories – the first morning at Rawling’s Bluff was absolutely magical – blue skies, rugged mountains and a wonderful group of people. It was just the start of many special days. We were blessed with wonderful weather (most of the time).

On a funnier note, a memory I will treasure is the “hairdressing salon” in our room at the bunkhouse at Melrose. Coming into the room our family shared, I found grand-daughter Milly straightening Mel Fuller’s hair, with a little queue of “clients” waiting their turn.

In fact a highlight was seeing all the children enjoying one another’s company, whether it was the hairdressing salon, riding their bikes, climbing (walking) up Mt Remarkable, fishing at Kangaroo Island, sliding down the sand dunes at “Little Sahara, or rattling their Cycle4Sam collection tins to other campers. The kids were fantastic.

For me, personally, one of the things I enjoyed most was the camaraderie amongst those involved. I would like to thank all those who helped, especially my “2-I-C”, Kate Allen. Kate and I had shared many Sunday mornings with Sam, and it was an absolute delight to be with her again. The wonderful support of Judy Ward, Gay and Ian Holland, Jane Fuller and Nerissa O’Brien was very much appreciated.

Looking forward to the next ride!!

Heath Campbell – rider

What did Cycle 4 Sam mean to you?

In the beginning I thought Cycle4sam was a means for me to help raise money for the palliative care unit at the Women's and Children’s Hospital, but as the departure day drew nearer and I got to know the people I would be travelling with, I had the feeling that it would become much more. As the week on tour evolved, I began to realise how inspiring my fellow travellers were and how I lucky I was to be there with them.

What was your favourite memory of Cycle 4 Sam - Tour of South Australia?

I couldn’t possible give a definitive 'favourite memory' but seeing Matts blast past me like I was standing still (on numerous occasions) was pretty spectacular. Also the feeling of trust that we cultivated on the road over the week was quite amazing.

What did you personally achieve?

I lost count of all the selfless acts during the week, in the most supportive environment I think I've ever been involved in. I feel that my personal achievements seemed to pale in comparison to those that we achieved as a group.

Any other comments:

Award for toughest rider on tour surely goes to Becky - Uber Hard!

Roxanne Price

For me CycLe 4 Sam started as a sponsorship for our business, and ended up as an outstanding personal achievement. However, the achievement of doing my longest days in the saddle (ever) was far outweighed by the satisfaction of being able to do something that ultimately helps others. CycLe 4 Sam has my restored my faith in people – the selflessness, and generosity of spirit of everyone involved was outstanding.