Riding for teen charity

Five professional athletes will join 40 cyclists to take the ride of their lives, over five gruelling days and 722km. Cyclists will ride from the Australian towns of Coffs Harbour (NSW) to Mooloolaba (Qld) to raise $100,000 for Teen Challenge.

In its 5th year, the Bicycle Australia Teen Challenge will start on Sunday, October 30 at Pacific Bay Resort Coffs Harbour, travel up the Dorrigo range, through Dorrigo and cycle along the Nymboida River into Grafton. From there cyclists will ride to Ballina, Byron Bay and Kingscliff. Once in Kingscliff the cyclists will ride through the Gold Coast and along the Lindsay Highway into Brisbane and then finish at Mooloolaba on Friday, November 4 for a well deserved break.

Major sponsors include Volkswagen, TREK cycles, Outrigger Resorts, Bicycle Australia, and Clarence St Cyclery.

For over 32 years Teen Challenge has been restoring hope and creating a future for young people with life controlling problems. With over 440 training centres around the world, Teen Challenge is a world leader in eliminating self-destructive habits and giving young people a second chance at life.

Featured athletes

Michael Voss: Nine-year captain of the Brisbane Lions, a triple AFL premiership captain (2001-02-03), 1996 Brownlow Medallist, former All-Australian captain and five-times club champion.

Jason Akermanis: Triple Brisbane Lions AFL premiership player (2001-02-03), 2001 Brownlow Medallist, dual club champion and Australian International Rules representative.

Chris Scott: Dual Brisbane Lions AFL premiership player (2001-02), six-year Lions vice-captain, club champion and Australian International Rules representative.

Daniel Collins: A four-times Olympic kayak paddler (1992-1996-2000-2004) who won a bronze medal at Atlanta in the K2 500 and a silver medal in the same event in Sydney. Also competed in the K2 1000 and is a former world champion.

Greg Shaw: Six-year Australian swimming representative (1997-2002) who is now one of Australia's leading sports dieticians, working with the Brisbane Lions, Queensland Reds, Queensland Academy of Sport and Australian Swimming.