Hello,

For those of you who may not be aware, I am in the middle of a mid-life crisis!

Now while some men my age go out and buy themselves a nice red sports car, I
decided to buy a bicycle, a whole lot of lycra and see just how far I could ride.

Things started off well. 20km rides were easy. After 2 weeks,
30km became easy. Within a month, 60km rides became the
standard. After about 3 months, I was riding up to 300km a week,
including at least one ride a week that was over 100km. I had
developed my own set courses: flat rides, undulating rides and
“mountain climbs” (or what passes for mountains in this part of
the world). With so much time spent in the saddle, I really began
to appreciate just how fortunate I am to live in such a beautiful
area.

I continued this routine religiously for six months, by which time it was autumn. And
whilst the temperature had dropped to a more comfortable level for cycling, the
weather was not as consistently good and the days had become shorter. I clearly
remember one miserable day: it was cold, wet and windy and I was a long way from
home. This is when the “Why am I doing this!” thought first came into my head. This
quiet thought soon turned into a noisy demand to stop this crazy activity! The
temptation to stay in bed rather than venture out into the cold morning air became
overwhelming.

So, quite simply, if I was going to keep doing this, I needed a reason to keep doing it!

I wracked my brain for ways that I could make it more worthwhile. Maybe I could do
some fun rides, like the ride to Wollongong. Maybe I could join the local cycle club.
Perhaps I could plan a cycling holiday in France whilst the Tour de France is on as
some kind of incentive.

Then it dawned on me. Why don’t I try and help others through my new found
passion of cycling; some sort of worthwhile cause. From there, it became simple.
When you think cycling, you think of Lance Armstrong. When you think Lance
Armstrong, you think of cancer (at least I do, anyway). And over the years (and in
particular this year), I’ve known too many good people affected by the disease, both
directly and indirectly. With some time on my hands, I felt I had the opportunity to at
least try and do my bit to help and make a difference.

So now I had a purpose. All I needed was to find the right avenue. To
cut a long story short, one day I googled: “Tour for Cancer” and came
up with the Tour de Cure.

The Tour de Cure is a cycling foundation set up about three years ago, with its aim to
help find a cure for cancer through cycling.
In May 2007, a team of 29 people cycled 1,175km in the inaugural tour from Brisbane
to Sydney and raised $318,610. Then in March 2008, the Tour de Cure left Melbourne
for Sydney on the second tour. A team of 33 battled the hills and weather to cycle
1,205km and raise $604,664. In May 2009, a team of 58 rode 1,555km from Brisbane
to Cairns with the aim of raising $600,000. They raised $857,372 – Cancer does not
allow for a GFC!

Now, in May 2010, I will be part of the 90-strong peleton that will take on the
1,400km challenge of the Sydney to Sunshine Coast route, with the aim of raising
over $1 million to help find a cure! And I would love to have your support.

How can you help?

Apart from sending me a message of encouragement every now and then, as I struggle
with the early morning starts, you can help by donating to help find a cure for cancer.
Like the rest of the team of 89 on the Tour, I have committed to fundraise over
$10,000.

The money raised is then directed to

Brain cancer Breast cancer

Prostrate cancer Blood cancer

projects for men, women and children across research, support or prevention.

I would love you to consider donating to the cause and help me reach my ambitious
fundraising goal. Any help would be truly appreciated. And remember that all
donations over $2 are tax deductible.

All you need to do is go to:

www.tourdecure.com.au/tour/2010/member/180/simon-mcmenamie

It will prompt you from there on how to donate. You will receive a tax deductible
receipt immediately via email and I will also keep you up to date with my progress,
both training and fundraising.

Not only will you be helping a great cause, but you may also help me get through my
mid-life crisis!

With grateful appreciation,

Simon McMenamie
Proud Tour de Cure Rider……getting on the road to curing cancer.

P.S. Click here to see what projects Tour de Cure’s last three years of donations have
funded: http://tourdecure.com.au/thecharities.aspx