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Pedal power drives cancer research /Newsport
Pedal power drives cancer research
Wednesday March 5 2014
A shared love of good causes and cycling was enough to inspire Douglas riders Marco Piat and Gavin Hardy to join this year's Tour de Cure.
The good mates will pedal more than 1,500 kilometres from Sydney to Hobart later this month as part of the charity's signature tour.
The ride raises money for cancer research, support and prevention projects with cyclists raising at least $12,000 to join the tour.
The duo held a four-course dinner and auction at the weekend, with local businesses providing items to be bid on.
Mr Piat said 90 people attended the event, including Tour de Cure co-founder Geoff Coombes, raising more than $15,000.
"It's never ceased to amaze us how this town pulls together. Everyone just rallies together and helps," he said.
"This goes a long way towards getting us across the line."
The ride will be Mr Piat's first Tour de Cure, while Mr Hardy has competed in the previous two.
In the lead up to the event, Mr Piat said he'd been cycling an average of around 380 kilometres a week.
"The training's obviously been hard," he said. "You're talking about 18 hours plus per week on the bike.
"That's another reason why it was great to have Geoff [Coombes] here - just to tell me I was ready."
The 65 cyclists depart Sydney on March 28 and arrive in the Tasmanian capital on April 6.
As part of the the tour, the riders will visit schools and speak to children about healthy living.