AFTER a gruelling 160km ride from Keith, Silver Lining Ride participants received a warm welcome from locals as they cycled into Penola last Tuesday.
Led along Church Street by local celebrity George the Farmer, an enthusiastic crowd cheered the team on as they reached the halfway point of their 1013km trek from Adelaide Oval to the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The nine-day cycle to raise funds and awareness for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation was inspired by the legacies of foundation ambassadors Mandy Herbert and Helen Hatzis, who lost their battles against ovarian cancer less than a year ago.
A lifelong friend of the Herbert family, Channel 9 sports presenter Clint Stanaway led the ride with Georgie Herbert and John Hatzis – the “silver lining” in a tough year for the Herbert and Hatzis families.
“There were some tough moments today but we helped each other through,” Mr Stanaway told The Border Watch as the team mingled with Penola residents after the longest leg of the journey.
“We cycled 155km yesterday and 160km from Keith today, so today was the longest ride – it’s all downhill from here.
“We are about halfway now – 500km down and 500 to go.”
Traversing South Australia and Victoria, the team stopped in towns where Ms Herbert grew up, had family or lived.
“It is a cause so close to our hearts and one we are determined to fight,” Mr Stanaway said.
The ride finished in Melbourne on Sunday, raising $100,000 for the OCRF.
