🚨 A SETBACK, BUT NOT THE END ❤️

Well… this definitely wasn’t how I expected today to end.

I was about 50km from Goondiwindi when I hit a really bad section of road, lost control of the bike and came flying off.

I knew straight away it was bad. My knees were badly ripped up, I had blood running down my arms and cuts all across my back. Ian rushed me straight to hospital where they gave me pain relief and cleaned me up as best they could.

My right knee is missing a decent chunk of skin, while the left is much deeper and has a lot of damaged and hanging skin. (I won’t show the graphic photos) It’s now extremely stiff and painful and I can barely bend it. There could also be deeper damage around the patella, meniscus or surrounding tissue, but we won’t know until it’s properly assessed.

The hospital here has done what they can, but I need to head back to Toowoomba tomorrow so they can properly clean the knee, look deeper into the injury and work out exactly what damage has been done.

So for now, the bike ride is on pause. ❤️

Honestly, this hurts in more ways than physically. I’ve put so much into this ride, as have my family, friends and support crew, and I wanted to complete the full 1,800km.

I don’t know yet when I’ll be back on the bike or if I’ll be able to finish the full distance, but I know this isn’t the end.

Today also gave me an even bigger perspective on why I’m doing this. After all the needles, IVs, pain and treatment today, I kept thinking about the kids who go through things like this as part of their cancer treatment.

If this hurts me this much, I can’t imagine what these little kids and their families go through.

My pain is temporary, but the reason I’m doing this hasn’t changed.

The riding might be on pause, but the fundraising isn’t. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who has supported me, donated and followed this journey so far. And a massive thank you to Ian for getting me straight to hospital when I needed it.

Health first. The rest can wait. ❤️

https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/riders/MattYoung1

🚴‍♂️ DAY 3 — 100KM DONE!

Day 3 is officially done! ✅

Another 100km knocked off yesterday although my tracker decided to have a little break and accidentally paused for about 10km 😂 so there was actually a bit more riding that didn’t get recorded!

Yesterday was definitely one of the tougher days so far.

The knee that started giving me trouble towards the end of the day before was absolutely horrible today. 😩 I tried taking some painkillers, but they didn’t do much, so I had to slow everything right down and just pedal at a pace I could manage.

But that’s okay we’re still knocking down the kilometres, and that’s what matters! ❤️

Had a couple more magpie encounters today 🦅😂 but thankfully nothing too crazy.

I pushed all the way through to Forest Ridge before calling it a day. We couldn’t find accommodation near our stop, so the support crew drove me back to Toowoomba again.

A massive shoutout to Federal Hotel for letting us stay tonight and helping us out with accommodation. We really appreciate the support! ❤️

Today, I’ll be driven back to Forest Ridge, jump back on the bike exactly where I finished yesterday dand we’ll go all over again.

And today is looking like a BIG day. 😳

DAY 3: 100KM ✅

TOTAL: 322KM 🚴‍♂️

1,478KM TO GO!

The legs are hurting, the knee is hurting, but we keep moving.

Bring on Day 4! ❤️🚴‍♂️🔥

🚲 Massive Shoutout to Johnny’s Sprockets!

Today definitely put the bikes to the test 😂

One of my bikes had a chain issue and then the other decided to pop a tyre and of course I didn’t have a spare with me. 🤦‍♂️

Luckily, we found Johnny’s Sprockets in Toowoomba, and the team were absolute legends!

They helped get both bikes sorted and, on top of that, gave me a bunch of gear to take with me for the rest of the ride to help keep me going.

After already riding 110km and tackling some massive hills, having someone step in and help us out like that meant a lot.

Massive thank you to the whole team at Johnny’s Sprockets for going above and beyond and helping keep the ride rolling. ❤️🚴‍♂️

If you’re in Toowoomba and need anything bike-related, definitely check these guys out!

🚴‍♂️ DAY 2 — 110KM DONE!

Day 2 is officially done, and what a day it was!

Started riding at 7:00am and finally rolled into Toowoomba around 6:00pm, finishing up with another 110km. 🚴‍♂️

Today was definitely a different challenge HILLS. LOTS OF THEM. 😅

The climb coming into Toowoomba was easily the biggest hill I’ve ever ridden, and after already having 100km in the legs, it was definitely a grind. Somehow I also managed to make it through the entire day without getting swooped once, so I’ll happily take that win! 😂🦅

The bikes, however, decided they wanted to make things interesting…

One bike had a chain issue and then the other decided to pop a tyre and of course I didn’t have a spare. 🤦‍♂️

Thankfully, we found Jonny Sprockets Bike Shop in Toowoomba, and the team were absolute legends. They helped get the bikes sorted and even gave me a bunch of gear to take with me for the rest of the ride to help keep me going.

Massive thank you to the team at Jonny Sprockets Bike Shop for going out of their way to help us out. It genuinely saved us today and I really appreciate it! ❤️

Another massive shoutout to Quest Toowoomba for putting us up tonight. The stay has been lovely and it’s exactly what I need after another huge day on the bike.

DAY 2: 110KM ✅

TOTAL: 222KM 🚴‍♂️

1,578KM TO GO.

The legs are definitely feeling it now, but we keep moving!

Bring on Day 3. ❤️🚴‍♂️🔥

https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/riders/MattYoung1

🚴‍♂️ DAY 1 — 112KM DONE!

DAY 1 IS IN THE BOOKS! ✅🚴‍♂️

What a way to start the ride!

I left Surfers Paradise at 6:00am and rolled into Ipswich around 2:00pm, finishing up with 112km on the legs.

And honestly… it was a tough day. 😂

The city roads were definitely a challenge to navigate, so I’m very much looking forward to getting further out into the country and onto some quieter roads.

We also had plenty of magpie swoops already… not exactly looking forward to another 16 days of that 😅🦅

My legs also decided to give me my first proper cramp of the ride already. Probably not helped by the fact I did zero training before starting this thing 😂 So I guess my legs are getting their training in now!

And somehow I still managed to get sunburnt, despite putting sunscreen on. 🤦‍♂️ Definitely need to sort that out before tomorrow.

But despite all of that, 112km down and only 1,688km to go. 🔥

❤️ MASSIVE SHOUTOUT TO Quest Ipswich - Serviced Apartments

A huge thank you to Bianca and the team at Quest Ipswich for going absolutely above and beyond to look after us tonight.

They’ve put us up in a beautiful room, left us some treats to help fuel me back up after today, and even shouted us dinner to make sure we’re properly fuelled for tomorrow.

Bianca, your kindness and generosity genuinely means so much. Support like this is a massive part of what makes a ride like this possible, and I can’t thank you and the team enough. ❤️

If you’re ever looking for somewhere to stay around Ipswich, make sure you check out Quest Ipswich we’ve been looked after incredibly well!

Now it’s time to get some food in, recover these legs and get ready to do it all again tomorrow.

DAY 1: 112KM ✅

1,688KM TO GO. 🚴‍♂️

Bring on Day 2. 🔥❤️

https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/riders/MattYoung1

🚴‍♂️ DAY 1 WE’RE OFF!

The moment we’ve been waiting for… IT’S STARTED! 🔥

This morning I officially left Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, and the wheels are finally turning.

After months of planning, fundraising and getting everything ready, it feels pretty crazy to finally be standing here at the start line knowing I’ve got 1,800km between me and Melbourne.

Gold Coast → Melbourne

🚴‍♂️ 1,800km

📅 17 days

❤️ One big reason raising money for childhood cancer research.

The first few days are going to be a massive challenge, but I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.

Ian and the support crew are with me, the bike is ready, and now there’s only one thing left to do…

Ride. 🚴‍♂️🔥

I’ll be bringing you along every day with photos and updates from the road.

1,800km starts here. Let’s go! ❤️

👇 If you’d like to support the ride:

https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/riders/MattYoung1

WE MADE IT TO THE GOLD COAST! 🌴🚗

Another big day on the road done and we’re officially here!

After making our way from Sydney up to the Gold Coast today, we’ve finally arrived at the starting point for the big one. 🚴‍♂️

Tonight we’re staying at D’Arcy Arm , a proper local pub that has been kind enough to look after us before we start the ride tomorrow.

And after a long day in the car, we couldn’t have asked for a better dinner the Parmas were unreal!

Huge thank you to the team at D’Arcy Arms for the hospitality and for helping us out as we get ready to take on 1,800km back to Melbourne. ❤️

Tomorrow is a pretty big day…

The bike finally comes out. 🚴‍♂️🔥

Day 1 of the ride starts tomorrow.

Gold Coast → Melbourne.

17 days. 1,800km.

Let’s get this thing started. ❤️

The Drive Up - Sydney

Massive shoutout to The Australian Heritage Hotel for looking after us tonight while we make our way up to the Gold Coast! 🙌🏼 The hospitality was unreal, the bar staff were awesome and they made us feel so welcome. Couldn’t have asked for a better place to stop in Sydney really appreciate the support! ❤️

HERE WE GO. 🚗💨

4:30am this morning and we’re officially on the road.

The car is packed, the bike is loaded and Ian and I are making our way up to Sydney before continuing to the Gold Coast tomorrow.

Then Thursday… the real adventure begins. 🚴‍♂️

1,800km.

16 days.

Gold Coast → Melbourne.

I’ve spent months getting ready for this, and it’s pretty crazy that it’s finally here.

I’ll be sharing a daily update throughout the ride with photos from each day, so you can follow along from the very first kilometre to the finish line in Melbourne.

It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be uncomfortable, but hopefully it’s also going to be one of the best adventures yet.

And every kilometre has a purpose raising money for childhood cancer research. ❤️

If you’d like to be part of it, donations are officially open.

Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.

👇 DONATE:

https://greatcyclechallenge.com.au/riders/MattYoung1

Gold Coast, here we come. 🚴‍♂️🔥