A call out for Bupa Challenge Tour participants to tell us their stories has been met with an overwhelming response. Riders are sharing their passion for cycling, reasons for riding and general love of the event.

Are you a Bupa Challenge Tour Champion?
2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the Challenge Tour and we are on the lookout for Bupa Challenge Tour Champions. If you have ridden every year since the first event took place in 2003 and will celebrate your 10th ride in 2012, we want to hear from you! Send your name, contact information and a short paragraph on what motivates you to ride every year to breakawayseries@tourism.sa.com and a member of the team will be in contact with you regarding some exciting recognition opportunities. Who knows? Your story may be picked up by one of our media partners!

Robert Evans is 38 and resides in Noarlunga, South Australia. This is his story:
"I have ridden in the past two Mutual Community Challenge Tours (2009, 2010). Prior to my first event, I had been on a significant weight loss journey, where I had lost 40 kilograms after being very overweight and unfit for 10 years. One week after registering for the 2009 ride (mid November), I had an accident on my mountain bike and impaled my upper thigh with the handle bars. After surgery, 6 weeks of recovery and rehabilitation, I was back on the bike with two weeks to train for my first Mutual Community Challenge Tour. I am passionate about cycling and love the opportunity the Mutual Community Challenge Tour gives amateur riders to participate in a major cycling event."
Robert Evans, 38
Noarlunga, South Australia
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Roger Hoverman is 42 and is from Old Bar in New South Wales. This is his story:
"I have always liked watching the Santos Tour Down Under on television and started to follow Lance, having lost my mother to cancer. I have also enjoyed reading his books. Last year I said to myself, 'If Lance comes to the tour, I will go over'. The next week it was announced that he was coming. The 2010 Mutual Community Challenge Tour was the start of an amazing year of riding. I have ridden some 4,500 kilometres this year and it has been an epic journey, which I feel has only really just begun. Thanks to the Santos Tour Down Under and the Mutual Community Challenge Tour for being the seed that has rekindled a lost passion."
Roger Hovermann, 42
Old Bar, New South Wales

Kaye Milton is 58 and lives in One Tree Hill, South Australia. This is her story:
"2010 has been a year of firsts for me. I completed a triathlon on Australia Day, my first marathon in August and purchased my very first road bike in October. I rode Amy's Ride in November, tackled 50 kilometres in the Gear Up Girl's ride to Mount Lofty and will be riding the Mutual Community Challenge Tour for the first time in January."
Kaye Milton, 58
One Tree Hill, South Australia
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Andrew Killion is 35 and resides in Queens Point, New South Wales. This is his story:
"I ride because it makes me feel like a kid again and I am free to explore the world.
I ride to clear my head and make new plans.
I ride to keep fit and have lost 8 of the 12 kilograms I intend to lose by Christmas.
I ride so I can travel the world with my family and my bike.
I ride so I can pretend to be like the professionals and have occasional and very enjoyable, delusions of grandeur.
I ride because I am contractually obliged to not work for 12 months so I have the time.
I ride so I can drink in the Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbour as the sun is rising.
I ride for the challenge and the coffee.
I ride, above all because I am addicted to it and am completely miserable if I don't."
Andrew Killion, 35
Queens Point, New South Wales
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Sam Burns is 19 and travels from Sydney, New South Wales to ride. This is his story:
"I travel every year to the Santos Tour Down Under. In 2011 I will be riding the Mutual Community Challenge Tour for the sixth time. I want to ride the Mutual Community Challenge Tour for a very long time and have the goal of being a 20 year veteran of the ride. Next year, I will be following the Tour de France by bike!"
Sam Burns, 19
Sydney, New South Wales
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Louise Bishop is 40 and lives in Bellbowrie, Queensland. This is her story:
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2009. My husband Grant and I had only just returned from the Santos Tour Down Under after watching Lance Armstrong ride. More than a year of intense treatment was to follow and my husband has been there to support me every step of the way. Grant loves his bike riding. He recently completed the Mt Coot-tha challenge riding in Livestrong Gear. He watches the Tour de France from our lounge room in Queensland religiously every year (with Phil Liggett's voice ringing out each night of the tour). I have entered the Mutual Community Challenge Tour this year to ride alongside my husband. For me to finish this ride alongside him would be the most wonderfully special way for me to thank him for his continual encouragement and Livestrong attitude."
Louise Bishop, 40
Bellbowrie, Queensland
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