Andrew Hogben
Andrew is a 30 year old Recruitment Consultant from Melbourne who knows absolutely nothing about cycling what-so-ever. However he is passionate about supporting the fight against cancer. When Andrew discovered people close to him had been diagnosed with cancer, he decided it was time for him to get involved in the fight against this terrible disease! 

In January 2008, Andrew purchased a bicycle and cycled from Melbourne to Sydney along the coastline in five days to raise money for The Cancer Council. He successfully completed the ride (just) and singlehandedly raised over $10,500. Now, Andrew has dusted off his bike and is backing up his Melbourne to Sydney ride with a new and potentially impossible challenge, Melbourne to Uluru / Ayers Rock. Thankfully this time Andrew is joined by a group of brave individuals who all want to get involved in the fight against cancer.

Paul Bowden
Paul is absolutely passionate about health and fitness. He is the head instructor of the Melbourne Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy and is also a government registered Personal Trainer and group fitness instructor. Paul has a holistic approach to helping people achieve health, via a balance of a positive attitude, correct posture, coordinated breathing, functional exercise, flexibility & good nutrition. Having competed at state and national level in Tennis, Australian Rules football, track and field and even roller-skating, Paul has spent his life involved in pursuit of health and fitness. He has also competed in several triathlons and marathons. Paul recovered from an unfortunate ladder accident in November 2006 and realised that life is far too precious to take for granted. After the accident, Paul made a promise to himself that he would become a quality competitive road cyclist, inspired by Lance Armstrong and his battle with cancer and his subsequent famous victories in the Tour de France. Like Lance, Paul hopes to raise public awareness of cancer and help limit its effect on its sufferers. Being part of the team to ‘Ride for Cancer’ Paul hopes to raise a ton of money to help make Cancer... Go away :)

Daniel Rossignoli
I'm 20 years old, Born in Shepparton (Country Victoria), Moved to Melbourne 2 years ago to peruse an Accounting career. Love my riding and love my Triathlons. Started riding about 1 and a half years ago and now you cant separate me and my bike. Always looking for a challenge and love doing something for a cause.

Phil Neckers
Phil is a recently graduated geologist who moved to Australia from New York/New Jersey in 2000.  His Dad, living in New Jersey, is a cancer survivor, however he has recently lost an Aunt to cancer, and has an Uncle who is currently undergoing treatment.  Phil is hoping for his family and family friend's support in raising awareness of the event so that we can raise as much money as possible to help the fight.

Fran Wellington
Fran Wellington is a 19 year old, 1st year Physiotherapy student, studying at La Trobe University Bendigo. She loves doing any type of cycling from early morning spin classes to weekend trips along Beach road and the fast and furious criterium racing. She is currently averaging about 400km per week, riding almost every day with a number of different groups in both Bendigo and Melbourne.

After losing several close family members and friends to cancer, she is keen to do something meaningful and constructive to raise awareness and funds to help provide resources to cancer sufferers and their families as well as funds to allow the continuation of the search to find more effective treatment for this disease that changes and takes so many lives worldwide.

Fran is looking forward to taking on this cycling challenge unequivocally with a group of like-minded cyclists for a common cause.

Mark Chircop
I am a 46 year old who works in IT and have always enjoyed keeping fit. First it was running where I completed 3 marathons, then it was 24 hour endurance navigation events and over the last six years I have really started to enjoy cycling. I have completed 6 Around the Bay Rides, ridden up numerous Victorian mountains and completed a heap of other one day cycling events. I like to challenge myself, and what better way to do that than with a ride to “the centre” and at the same time raise money for cancer research.

David Durad
I am an IT professional who lives in Fitzroy North with my partner and two young children who are also all keen bike riders. I commute to work by bike, enjoy weekend training rides and have completed the Around the bay in a day Bike ride several times.

This ride is a great personal challenge and is a very unique way to see a lot of Australia up close, most importantly it's a great opportunity to bring awareness to and support the Cancer Council.

Craig Everard
I live in leafy Mount Dandenong and have worked as an IT specialist for 15 years. Cycling has been passion of mine ever since I borrowed my sister's bike at the age of 5 and threw away the training wheels. Living in the Dandenongs means I love riding hills and as a member of the Eastern Vets Cycling Club I also like competing. I just read "Bombay to Beijing by bicycle" which has sparked my interest in doing long distance challenge riding. The opportunity to raise money for an excellent cause whilst combining my passion for cycling has me very excited.

Tom Melican
I am 53 years and it is fair to say that cycling has long been a passion of mine. I have riden to work for the last 35 years. After starting the Banyule Bicycle Group to help raise awareness for cycling issues in my local area I ran for local council to further improve safety for cyclist in the area. I am currently the serving mayor of Banyule City Council. I have participated in all 15 Around the Bay in a Day events and many other cycling events. Having lost several close family and friends to cancer I look forward to the opportunity to help raise awareness and funds for the fight against cancer while testing myself against the challenge of riding to Uluru.

Jeff Hilder
"What a challenge" I thought to myself when I first heard of the ride. I really wanted to get involved.
Six years ago I gave up my '30 a day habit' and participated in a cycle ride across southern China and had the time of my life. Since then cycling has become my way of commuting to work and many weekends are now spent cycling along cycling paths and up and down mountains.
Last year I completed an epic ride up Cape York.

My father died from lung cancer after a lifetime of smoking and my mother battled with and overcame bowel cancer and this ride will help me give a little back for the wonderful support my family has received

Peter Doonan
I'm a 47yo IT guy. Like many people, a number of my family members and close friends have been dealt the blow of cancer. Taking on the challenge of this ride is an opportunity for me to contribute a little in my own way to a very worthy cause; to better understand the causes and treatments of cancer. I have a long history of endurance sports, starting in running & triathlons, completing the Hawaiian Ironman (half a lifetime ago now ....), and more recently competing in road & MTB races/enduros, Alpine Classics and Around The Bays. I'm fortunate to have the support of my marvelous wife and 3 children in this endeavour. I'm excited by the challenge and what I hope will be a great adventure, and although a bit apprehensive about the sheer size of the challenge, your contributions will spur me on !

Adam Pater
I'm a 34 year old self employed flower grower, with a busy family life with all the usual sports and activities that go with three kids. A mate told me about the ride, and I said "You're Nuts!", but the more I thought about the opportunity to ride for a really good cause, the more I realized how much cancer touches everyone in the community. If I can tough it out for two weeks to show support for those dealing with cancer whilst raising as much money as I can for the Cancer Council then I should give it my best!