HypoActive

It is with great pleasure that we can share with you that Stewart and Andrew successfully completed the inaugural Tour for Type 1 from October 12-15, 2011.  Riding each stage of the 59th Jayco Herald Sun Tour on the same day as the race has been an incredible effort.  Over 650km was ridden in four days, with many hills, headwinds and for Stewart, the constant management of his type 1 diabetes. 

We are proud, humbled and grateful for the efforts they have brought to our organisation both on and off the bike, and the ongoing impacts this will have on children living with type 1 diabetes.  But above all, we are so inspired by his efforts.

Stewart (at right) has shared his thoughts of the Tour and of his final day including the climb up to Arthur's Seat.  He earlier confessed that this climb was his biggest fear in taking on the trip.

 ********************************************
Saturday.  Sorrento to Arthur's Seat
Final day, with a 4 am start to catch the ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento.  Great, just what we needed!
Both Andrew and myself knew the course well, just over 100 km, with plenty of hills. For both of us this was probably our strongest days riding, and as such we were both in the lead rotation for most of the day. As it was home territory it was my favourite stage. A great breakfast in Flinders was the last stop as we approached the final leg.  A strong 35 km head wind was building, but so was the morale and excitement as we headed for Arthur's Seat and our final climb. Simply put, it was magic! Everyone excelled in the assent which is 3 km at an average of 11% and a maximum of 15% at some points.  We were announced by the race commentators as we passed through the finishing gates, and a large crowd was on hand to welcome us home, a couple of photos, before heading straight to the bar!!!! A very memorable day!!!

Thoughts on the entire event
The charity riders were a fabulous group of people from all walks of life and from all over Australia.  Brilliant organization, very professional, and brand developing. Very physically and mentally challenging, but an enormous sense of achievement, in particular regarding dealing with the type 1 diabetes and it's issues. My blood sugars were great throughout the Tour.  Not one hypo, and typically averaging between approx 4.5 and 8 (ed's note.  This is an average that a non diabetic would have, which shows just how fantastic this is!). I'm thrilled. I was really edgy going into the event, as it was all an unknown and I had never in my life attempted such a challenge. This was really personal for me as when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years ago I vowed that this disease would not get the better of me and I wanted to prove to myself that I could achieve what normal healthy people are capable of doing, and frankly I'm very proud.

The interesting thing was that the ride was a great leveler and brought out team work, united spirit, and working together which was so important. One thing I learnt was that cycling like this is not an individual sport at all, one is so reliant on others, and without constant communication, and teamwork, you are nothing!
The other major factor was that everyone had so much outside support in the fact that we were all raising money and awareness for the charities, and this was a very united cause.  All riders made a commitment to be involved and it was a truly rewarding experience in many, many ways.
Thank you all for your support.
Stewart.

Stewart and Andrew pose with the other charity riders taking part in the five day event with the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and the women's Honda Hybrid Tour.

********************************************

On behalf of HypoActive I would like to congratulate Stewart and Andrew on their achievements and to thank them for the inspiration they have brought to our members.

And I would like to thank YOU all for supporting Stewart and Andrew in the 2011 Tour for Type 1.
 
Kind Regards
 
Monique Hanley