10 October 2017
Tuesday, 10 October 2017: This week 425 motorbike riders from all around Australia will rev up their engines for The Long Ride in support of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA).
Started 10 years ago with just 320 riders, it has today become the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The ride raises awareness of prostate cancer and generates vital funding for research and education about the disease.
The Long Ride is an epic adventure over 13 days. It started with riders in Northern Territory departing on Sunday 8 October. Riders start from their own state and travel towards Tasmania throughout regional and rural areas of Australia. All riders rendezvous in Tasmania by 14 October and then travel together to their final destination at Launceston on 19 October. The previous Long Ride in 2016 raised over $400,000 for PCFA, and a total of $1.2 million has been raised since the first ride was held 10 years ago in 2007.
The Long Ride 2017 Dates
Sunday 8 October: Ride began in Northern Territory
Monday 9 October: Ride began in Perth and Townsville
Wednesday 11 October: Ride begins in Adelaide and Brisbane
Thursday 12 October: Ride begins in Sydney and Canberra
Friday 13 October: Ride begins in Victoria
Saturday 14 October: All 425 bikes will cross the Tasman with The Spirit of Tasmania and start their tour of Tasmania
Friday 19 October: Riders reach Launceston to mark the end of The Long Ride
Chris Dunne OAM, founder and organiser of The Long Ride says he started the ride to save himself from a ‘tough spot’ after leaving the Air Force.
"I decided to ride up to Darwin and my son suggested I invite some others and ride for a cause. 320 people rode into Darwin beside me 10 years ago," Mr Dunne says. "During that ride a prostate cancer survivor told me the experience had given him a new lease on life and suggested we ride for prostate cancer awareness the next year. Funds from the ride have gone to PCFA ever since."
"The welcome into the towns is exceptional. Men come and raise their health problems with us. Many don’t want to talk to a doctor. I say 'would you rather be in a box, or sitting in the lounge room with your wife?' After the ride we get emails of thanks from men and their wives," said Mr Dunne.
Associate Professor Anthony Lowe, CEO of PCFA says prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and in regional and rural Australia there’s a 21% higher prostate cancer mortality rate than those in major cities.
"It is known that men living in rural or disadvantaged areas in Australia have lower rates of PSA testing, higher risk of advanced prostate cancer, poorer survival, and worse access to or use of medical services than men living in urban or affluent areas.," said Associate Professor Lowe. "The Long Ride not only brings support to people in these areas, but helps raise vital funds to assist PCFA continue to provide evidence-based education, resources and fund break-through prostate cancer research," Professor Lowe said.
To find out more information or to inquire about specific regional stops made on The Long Ride, please visit www.freewebs.com/longride2010
