:D

In exactly one week, on the 6th of November, I will be participating in the 2011 Sydney to Gong Bike Ride.

The Gong Ride is a one of a kind fundraising event. You can pedal 90km from Sydney to Wollongong on any day of the year but it's only on the first Sunday of November that you'll experience the camaraderie, fellowship, unity, safety, scenery and sense of achievement for pedalling in support of people living with MS.

It's been something i've been looking forward to for some time now. And is one of the main reasons I purchased my new bike some weeks ago, with the Spring Cycle being a primer before the main event. This event is going to be the biggest ride of my life so far.

The ride itself is 90km, from Sydney Park, St Peters to Wollongong through Brighton Le Sands, the Royal National Park and Sea Cliff Bridge. I've rarely experienced this part of NSW and from what I hear it's quite a scenic route, so here's hoping to a nice sunny day.

I've never done a 90km journey non-stop before, the greatest distance i've ever ridden is 50km~, so i'm not quite sure what to expect. This route has a number of hills too, which you can see in the elevation map below.

Hills are something I haven't had much experience with since I live in the city, so it's going to be an interesting ride. I'm feeling a little nervous with how i'm going to perform, there is only one way to find out though, I might turn up and they'll appear practically flat to me... maybe.

It looks like it will take 3-4 hours in total to get down there, i'll be riding with these two fine gentlemen.

The ride has reached it's cap with 10,000 riders. MS Australia is hoping to raise $4.5 million dollars from these participants and is more than half way there.

A requirement for entry is a promise you'll raise a minimum of $250 however the kind generosity of friends and family means i've reached this goal a week beforehand with $260 raised as of today.

I've never asked anyone to donate money before and i'm pretty blown away already with the generosity, it means a lot and gives me even more confidence in having a great ride. So I wish to thank those who have donated thus far, even $10 means a lot.

Of course any further donations are encouraged, if you want to donate to my ride on the 6th November, you can do so by visiting this page, it's for a good cause, even $1 would be great, but there is no pressure whatsoever, kind reader.

Time for my last big ride before next Sunday, i'll make a follow-up post next weekend! :D