Name: Jason Nestor
Age: 36
Location: Ballarat, Australia
Occupation: Designer
Have you been riding long: I have been riding for roughly 20 years or so, I have been off the bike for short periods but always keep coming back to it.
What do you ride: Custom Made Baum Wills titanium 29er touring bike, currently being built.
I also ride a custom Baum Corretto road bike and a GT iD4 mountain bike.
I also ride a custom Baum Corretto road bike and a GT iD4 mountain bike.
About The Ride:
Motivation for starting “The Long Road”: My Dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s back in 2003, as the years pass, you see the progression of the disease and the effect it has on the sufferer and those around them, I also lost two of my grandparents to cancer who were also a big part of my life.
What do you hope to get out of this both personally and for the team: Many people talk about doing things but never actually pursue the idea further, I want to be able to look back and know that I have been a part of something worthwhile that may ultimately contribute to finding a cure for these two illnesses as well as spreading awareness of the effects they have on peoples lives.
Why by bike: Being an avid cyclist, I have always liked the idea of travelling and discovering new places by bike, the idea of travelling over such a large distance gave an added challenge and the opportunity to turn the tour into something bigger than a general bike ride.
How did you decide on the route: When the idea to create the ride in support of Cancer and Parkinson’s awareness came about; I wanted the route to have some real meaning for me, my grandparents migrated to Australia and eventually settled in Ballarat having come from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, giving me my starting and end points for the trip. It is my way of dedicating a small part of the tour to their memory.
What are you most looking forward to on the tour: There are many parts of the tour I am looking forward to, visiting new places and meeting new people, and really immersing myself in the whole experience, but if I had to choose one particular part it would be seeing the Netherlands and Eindhoven.
What do you think will be the hardest part of the ride: Being away from my family for so long.
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Name: Garry Alchin
Age: 34
Location: Windsor / Richmond, NSW, Australia
Occupation: IT – Enterprise Storage
Have you been riding long: Apart from when I was a kid, as my only form of freedom before getting a car, recently it has been on the BMX track with my kids and even more recently on the road. So in short I would say “not very long”
What do you ride: Custom Baum Burke, Steel 29er touring bike, currently being built,
I also currently ride a Giant Defy 3 on the road. I’m looking at a 29er for the rougher stuff as this will be more closely matched to what we are going to use on the tour.
I also currently ride a Giant Defy 3 on the road. I’m looking at a 29er for the rougher stuff as this will be more closely matched to what we are going to use on the tour.
About The Ride:
Motivation for starting “The Long Road”: My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer some 6 years ago and after seeing what she has gone through, the battle she has fought against a disease with no remorse, if she can do that then I sure can do this ride.
This is also for all those friends and family that have either been directly or indirectly affected by cancer and Parkinsons. People who have helped make me who I am today.
What do you hope to get out of this both personally and for the team: For the team, I want to see this as being the beginning. To provide support, both financial and awareness, on an ongoing basis till the day both these diseases are cured.
Personally I want to look back when I’m older and know that we did our part no matter how big or small.
Why by bike: You will need to ask Jason that one…. Personally I thought he was nuts but then I have always liked the idea of an adventure. Not only that but sometimes you need to step outside of your safe zone and do something that is going to challenge you mentally and physically.
How did you decide on the route: The route was already pre-determined by Jason before he presented his idea to me so I’m just coming along for the ride (pun intended). But there are parts which I wanted to have added. Firstly: Cootamundra, my grandmothers home, who this ride is dedicated to. Secondly: As close to the Nürburgring as possible as I’m a huge motorsport fan.
What are you most looking forward to on the tour: Apart from Australia I’ve not seen much more of the world so really I’m looking forward to visiting all the different countries we will be going through and meeting all the different people that we will meet. On a side note I’m NOT looking forward to the Rockies. Not because I don’t want to see them but I’m afraid of my heart exploding on the climb up. Going down will be a lot of fun though.
What do you think will be the hardest part of the ride: Being away from my family even though I plan to speak with them daily.
