Vince Kelly at the 2024 Tour de Cure Discovery Tour finish line.
Vince Kelly has once again conquered the Tour de Cure, spurred on by those who helped him raise $11,000 for reasons greater than bike riding and himself.
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The Tour raises money for cancer support and research, with this year’s ride specifically supporting the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre.
Kelly said the ride was “really challenging but really enjoyable”.
“We rode with predominant headwinds and with some serious elevation, but despite this, we did 128km on day one, 138km on day two and 142km on the final day which adds up to the 408km.
“It’s always a bit of a challenge, but there were great views as always.
“We were due to get some really good views at Dunkeld, but there was a bit of moisture and low clouds around so we couldn’t see the Eastern Grampians.
“But there were great views on the other summits, including the little climb of One Tree Hill in Ararat on day one looking east to west.”
While the views were nice, Kelly said the ride has a greater purpose behind it.
“You’re surrounded by like-minded individuals, people motivated by reasons greater than riding a bike.
“It is a vehicle to raise funds and awareness for a cure with funds this year going to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre.”
This purpose was brought into greater focus by Kelly’s fellow Tour de Cure riders.
“I was riding with numerous cancer survivors, and riders actively undergoing treatment,” he said.
“I met incredible people each day, including people diagnosed recently who made a commitment to ride if they were well enough as well as some riders over 70 in our peloton riding 400km - that’s pretty amazing.
“There were 100 riders and another 40 support staff not on the bike who made sure we got fed at the appropriate times and water to keep us on the road and keep us safe.”
Kelly has raised money for cancer charities in his father’s honour almost every year for the last eight years, and said he always feels supported by the Tour de Cure community.
“The reason I keep going back is the community.
“You have to leave your actual family behind, and the people you’re out there with become your family for a week.
“I did my first ride in 2016. Catching up with them again, seeing them is wonderful.”
Mr Kelly said this year required additional physical and mental training than previous years, due to a confidence shaking bike accident last year.
He was hit by a vehicle towing a caravan on Davidson St, Deniliquin while riding with a group of other local cyclists.
“I was really happy I was able to contribute (to the ride).
“A lot of preparation went into it, and I was pleased that the work I put in prior to the tour was rewarded.”
As part of his fundraising efforts, Kelly hosted the annual Tee Up for Cancer event at the Deni Golf Club.
He also received a generous novelty donation from a work colleague.
“I had a bell sponsor of $450, to have a kids bell throughout the ride.
“It was great as cyclists are quite anally retentive and detail focused, so the emu bell was a little bit disorientating but a generous donation.”
Kelly’s fundraising effort of just over $11,000 contributed to a Tour total of $430,000.
Donations are still being accepted to try and reach the goal of $500,000.
Vince (back, middle) with fellow Peloton Three members at the summit of One Tree Hill Ararat on day one.
Vince putting the world's most expensive bell to use as a result of a $450 donation to carry Richie the Emu bell on the bike for tour.
Vince conquering Mt Buninyong.
Vince at the finish with his family – Grace, Lauren, Mitchell and Piper (on the bike).
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