Qld man using CityCycle to conquer cancer
CityCycles are barely seen on city streets, but soon a Brisbane man will ride one of the rental bikes a staggering 200 kilometres.
Kirk Robertson is the most unlikely of participants in next month's Ride to Conquer Cancer.
He doesn't own a bike. He hasn't ridden one in ten years.
But he'll tackle the gruelling challenge on a 25 kilogram clunker, with just three gears.
He's doing it for his mum.
She survived breast cancer, but has now been diagnosed with leukaemia.
"She's doing really well, but it's just something that's in the back of your mind that this is always going to be there. It's just something that doesn't go away and eventually it will need treatment," Mr Robertson said.
By riding the CityCycle in the challenge, he hopes to raise greater awareness - and more money - for the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
Two team-mates will join him on CityCycles. The rest of the team describes Mr Robertson's plan as crazy. Most of them can lift their expensive, modern bikes with just one hand.
"It's going to be a big challenge, but I knew that from the start, so you know - it's going to be a long, slow ride," he said.
The journey will take the cyclists through the south-east's countryside.
While the exact route won't be released until the morning of the ride, it's likely to take the cyclists towards Wivenhoe Dam. And it's certain to include plenty of hills - another challenge on a bike designed for level ground.
For team captain and testicular cancer survivor Tim Lane, this ride is personal.
"The reason I am here and cancer free is largely due to medical research of the type they're doing out at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research," he said.
He insists Mr Robertson won't slow the team down.
But when the ride begins on August 18, Kirk Robertson is convinced his yellow helmet will be right at the back of the field.
And if he does come last, at the end of the two day challenge, he won't be upset.
He'll be happy to have finished, to have raised money for cancer research and to have made his mum proud.
You can help Mr Robertson reach his target of $15,000 by donating here.
Money raised from the ride will go to the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
