Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Paediatrician Dr Mick Creati has completed the trip of a lifetime, cycling 4,000km’s across Australia to raise money for the Chronic Illness Peer Support Program (ChIPS), which supports young people living with chronic illness.
Mick’s journey has taken him from Fremantle all the way to Sydney. Last week, he cycled the final leg of his tour, crossing the Victoria and NSW borders, traversing the Blue Mountains and riding triumphantly into Bondi.
We asked Mick some questions about his epic adventure.
How long did the ride take you?
“18 days, nine hours and 35 minutes.”
What was the longest distance travelled in one day?
“From Madura in Western Australia to Nullarbor Road House in South Australia, which was 380km. I was making the most of a massive tailwind. I didn’t arrive until midnight when the roadhouse was closed, so I slept on floor of their laundry in a sleeping bag.”
What was the most enjoyable part of the trip?
“It’s been a lifetime dream to cycle across this amazing country. Seeing the country from my bike was incredible. From the isolation of the Nullarbor to watching a mother whale sheltering her calf from the cliffs, every day was different. Australia is an amazing country.”
How did you find the energy to go on?
“I drank at least two litres of flavoured milk every day, which was at least 36 litres for the whole trip!”
Did anything out of the ordinary happen on the trip?
“Only my left ear got sunburnt! Because I was riding in one direction from west to east, the sun was always on my left side. I also amazingly had no flat tyres for the whole trip!”
ChIPS is a vibrant support program for young people aged 12 to 25 years living with a chronic illness. Offering a wide range of opportunities including social events, leadership opportunities and camps, ChIPS helps chronically ill young people enjoy experiences and challenges that can be difficult for them to attempt in everyday life.
It’s not too late to donate to Mick’s incredible mission, and support him in reaching his goal of raising $20,000 for ChIPS. You can donate by clicking here.