I recently joined some former Knights players on an epic quest of pedal power to Moonan Flat Pub for brain cancer… well they did the hard work while I took the easy way out and drove!
A group of former Newcastle Knights traded in their footy boots for bike cleats to take on an epic ride for the Mark Hughes Foundation on the annual Bikers for Brain Cure Challenge.
Led by Kurt Gidley, the crew included Daniel Abraham, Robbie Tew, Luke Quigley, Trent Salkeld, Chris Houston, Todd Polglase, Matt Kennedy, James Wynne, Jamie Fitzgerald and Chris Bailey. The were joined by mates Rhys Smith, Robbie McNaughton, Marty Parker and John Holland, plus a dedicated support crew.
The journey officially began on Tuesday, May 20 with an event at the Wallabadah Hotel. On Wednesday morning the adventure started with an altered route due to road closures which saw them travel more than 300km to end in Newcastle on March 24.
Every one of the team took the time out of their busy lives to help a fantastic and important cause, raising over twenty thousand dollars for the Mark Huges Foundation.
The Mark Huges Foundation is dedicated to funding vital research and patient support, including the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research at the University of Newcastle, a collaborative hub uniting scientists, clinicians and care professionals. Other key initiatives include a Brain Cancer Biobank and Brain Cancer Care Coordinators in rural and regional NSW.
While it might have been for a good cause that didn’t stop the riders having a great time while doing it and smiles were everywhere despite the atrocious conditions. Through blinding rain, flooded roads, and up and down brutal hill after brutal hill, they pedalled through it all.
I caught up with the group on night two at the Moonan Flat Pub. This beautifully refurbished pub was a much-favoured destination, and the crew were enthusiastically welcomed and looked after by Pub Owners Jason Stephens and Richard Claut. What Jason and Richard have done with the pub is nothing short of amazing, spending a small fortune to bring this Upper Hunter piece of history back to life. Do yourself a favour and set aside a weekend or a day to get up there and experience it for yourself.
As I sat in the comfort of the fire warmed bar what I witnessed was a group of blokes with hearts as big as the footballs they once played with. I heard amazing men talk about working together, helping others, and of course, the Mark Hughes Foundation and how satisfying it was to be able to help such a vital organisation.
This ride also wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support crew and generous sponsors who backed them on their mission to beat brain cancer… every pedal of the way.
