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Chris Stewart

I'm cycling in the PedalCure4MND SA Tour!

Donate to Chris and help them hit their goal of $6000

My Activity Tracking

1,057
kms


I'm cycling for MND research!

Hi there!

I am taking part in the PedalCure4MND South Australia Tour 2026 to help FightMND fund the best research to find a cure for motor neurone disease (MND). My goal is to raise $4000, and I’d love your support!

Over five days, I will be cycling across South Australia, all to raise much-needed funds in the fight against MND.

MND is a devastating disease that takes away a person’s ability to move, speak, swallow, and even breathe. There is no effective treatment or cure, but together, we can change that.

It only takes a minute to donate, and every dollar brings us closer to finding a cure. I truly appreciate your support.

Thanks!

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Raised

$6,800

My Goal

$6,000

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My Achievements

Fundraising page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

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My Updates

Day Five

Friday 6th Mar
The last of the five days. All up I’ve done 582k’s (excluding some rides to the start etc) and 6930m of climbing. This is worth about 52,000 kj of energy, or basically an extra six days of food, and I have done my best to fit those snacks in supported by the volunteers! In terms of the route, the climb up Corkscrew Road is brutally steep but the descent was one of the best roads I’ve ever ridden along in any part of the world. It was spectacular. The climb up Norton Summit was much easier, it but it was still very nice to have it all done and then roll into Norwood! Saying that, it was also sad that Rocket (Andrew) had to abandon basically right at the end. Along with Snake (Paul) and Tricky (Richard), he had basically kept us organised and safe on the road. 

Similarly to other nights, we finished with a dinner and more donations, before saying goodbye to everyone. It truly was a superb group of people in Group C, their partners, and the broader team. I came down here a bit worried about both the physical challenge and how I’d fit in not knowing anyone and, from the very first to the very last night, I had people introducing themselves to me or offering to introduce me to others. If in doubt, sign up for 2028! 


Day Four

Friday 6th Mar
Day four - or Sonia’s birthday edition - started with another climb to overlook the Barossa Valley before a run through a number of the towns. For me this was fueled by a Hawaiian pizza and assisted by large amounts of standing on the pedals - not to ride away like Contador but to give my backside a rest.  Sadly the group had our first crash today after Frank’s front wheel failed and, despite temporarily saving it, he wasn’t able to keep it upright around the next corner. No broken bones but some scrapes.

Dinner was at Saltram’s wines where they were amazingly generous for the 100+ people…matched by being superb auctioneers, with one person donating $1600 for three bottles of wine, and two people donated $6600 for a dinner. 



Day three

Friday 6th Mar
Day three brought clearing weather and a clearing cold.  This made it much less tiring than the preceding days even if I still didn’t trust myself on the downhills. The climb up Willunga also seemed less taxing today, but that might have had to do with better position choice (also have to work on my balance). I also got a flat - took a few kilometres to confirm that something was wrong, and very grateful for the groups help fixing it (although this meant that B group passed us vs mechanicals only affecting them).

At dinner, we heard from another MND researcher, an AFL player (Reilly O’Brien- rover for Adelaide and also studying medicine), and the daughter of someone lost to MND. Each was interesting to hear from in different ways. Two things that stuck me were that national guidelines on MND treatment have only recently been drafted and, during an auction of an Adelaide jersey, a support crew person called Katie winning it and donating it to the daughter who had spoken so eloquently. Two small things that can have a massive impact for society as well as a person. 

Day Two

Tuesday 3rd Mar

A really memorable day, both on the bike and off it. On the bike there were lower temperatures and rain. Braking on new carbon rims in the rain isn’t my idea of fun so I was actually enjoying the uphill sections. We were also lucky in having a 20-30kph tailwind home! Our “C group” again passed the unlucky B’s (another day they had multiple punctures) and briefly caught the A Group. (All credit to the lead riders). 


The organisers asked me to speak at the dinner, so I had the privilege of joining Ronney, who had lost his dad to MND, to talk about how much the ride means from the perspective of our family’s experience. I said that it is amazing to see so many people put in so much effort to give hope to MND sufferers, fund research on diagnosis and a cure, and support people in their struggles. I noted how powerful research can be. In my lifetime, SIDS rates have fallen by close to 90%, and HIV has gone from a terminal diagnosis to a manageable condition. Real progress is possible — and fundraising plays a vital role in making that happen. Again, thank you. 


To top it off, I finished the evening talking to Richie Porte at the bottom of Willunga Hill. Two famous names in Australian cycling. I’m a massive fan, and Kylie even more so! (And yes, I did tell him about this). We talked about how much his participation in the MND ride means for both people signing up and cyclists donating etc. I had wanted to say this earlier to him in the day when introducing myself but had chickened out given i didn’t want to melt into tears - I said this and he said that he could completely understand. Indeed, we also talked other the other highs and lows in life and getting through these challenges. He is an incredibly generous and kind person (so Kylie’s level of fandom seems appropriate) and I hope that life in retirement treats him well from here. 

Day one

Sunday 1st Mar
The first day - just under 130k’s - went well. About half of it was in the rain but it wasn’t cold or windy. I did feel pretty nervous going downhill on new wheels in the wet, so was the slowest on the bunch then, but with good weather forecast life will get easier. 

At dinner we heard from Professor Mary-Louise Rogers who specialises in MND research and trying to use indicators in the blood to track the progression of MND, to improve the ability to  test the efficacy of new drugs. We also heard from the CEO of FightMND about the incredible people he has meet with MND and the value for the donations. For example, the funds raised so far from this ride will be enough to fund 4 PhD candidates. And finally we heard from Richie Porte, an Australian cycling great but definitely down to earth in terms of his responses to questions. 

Tomorrow another 112k, starting with Willunga Hill!

T minus 1

Saturday 28th Feb

Thanks so much to everyone who has donated as I get ready to ride 690km over the next five days for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and support. It genuinely means a lot.

For those who may not know, MND is also known internationally as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). It’s a progressive neurological disease that affects the nerves controlling movement, gradually taking away the ability to walk, speak, eat and breathe. There is currently no cure. My mum is currently suffering through it.

That’s why this ride, and your donation, matters.

I’ll try to post an update each day (though there may be a fair bit of sleeping involved after each ride!). Today has been about rebuilding the bike, trying to shake off a cold, mentally rehearsing the logistics of the bike box, and refreshing the BOM website every 10 minutes hoping for slightly less rain tomorrow — fully aware they don’t update it that often.

Thanks again for backing this. Riding in pouring rain is nothing compared to some people’s battles in dealing with MND.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$1.04k

Green Point Vet

We need to beat this fucking awful disease (excuse my French)!!! Love you mum. xx

$1.02k

Chris Stewart

$527.50

Anonymous

Go for it Chris !!! Anything that aims to remove MND is worthwhile - hate to see what this is doing the families

$527.50

Anonymous

Go Chris! I’m sorry you and your family have had to experience this terrible disease first hand.

$527.50

Paul Stewart

Good luck Chris. A novel way to get a break from Charlotte.

$527.50

Kylie And Charlotte Stewart

So so proud of you Chris and Daddy! Love Kylie and Charlotte xx

$158.25

Dick & Agnes

Good on you Chris for doing this in helping to fight against this devastating disease. Stay safe and hope the weather will be kind to you on the day

$158.25

Anonymous

$158.25

Mary Smith

Well done Chris - a big achievement

$150

Kath Lowe

Amazing effort Chris! Ride safe.

$106.12

Mark G

Can't think of a better cause.

$106.12

Jaysson Guerrero

$106.12

Tracey

$106.12

Phillip Pascoe-thomas

Go Chris!! Enjoy!!

$106.12

Amy

$100

Radhika Arora

Amazing cause Chris! Wishing you all the luck!

$100

Keith Drayton

Great work Chris!!

$82.87

Anonymous

Pain is temporary. Impact is forever.

$80.25

Ian S

Keep pedaling

$80.25

Aoife Mulligan

Well done for raising so much towards this cause. Best of luck Chris!

$80.25

Anonymous

Keep it up for mum

$80.25

Margie Pargie

Go Chris, well done for taking part in this. Thinking of you and sending love to you all 💖

$80.25

Sue Pynsent

A wonderful cause Chris. Enjoy the ride. Sue P

$75

Megan Lewis

$64.67

Suzanne Navin

Good luck Chris

$54.12

Mary Cufer

$54.12

Moira Kornie

Hi Chris, good luck with the ride.

$54.12

Aman

Hi Chris Kudos for relentlessly contributing to the greater good for the society, always. All the best in your SA Tour. God bless you all. Good wishes Aman

$54.12

Kerry Wood

GO Chris! You can do it. The finish line is just over the hill and around the corner. There's a gelato waiting for you.

$54.12

Kath Jackson

Good luck! Well done for sponsoring a wonderful Cause

$54.12

Kelly

$54.12

Justine Powell

$52.92

Leigh Davies

$39.35

Ran Chen

Great cause Chris.

$39.35

Leah W

What a great cause! All the best.

$39.35

Sue Purcell

My very best wishes Chris

$36

Robert Davies

Thinking of your family at this difficult time Chris.

$22.58

Sarah Dong

Go Chris!

$22.58

Tina Muldoon

Good Luck 🍀

$20

Tina Alonso

Go Chris, go ! 🙌

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PedalCure4MND Progress

$481,839 raised

$750,000 Goal

$481,839 raised

$750,000 Goal