Tom Burroughs-Moody

Well, if I'm being honest, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be sitting here today, looking at the month and seeing it where it is. The generosity of my friends, family, colleagues, and total strangers has been humbling and fills my soul. Initially feeling optimistic at setting a fundraising goal of $2,000 and hitting that just 8 days into September, to be here now at $3,654 is almost surreal. Thank you so deeply to each and every one of you who backed me on this. 

Then there was the rides. Maintaining an average of 33kms per day for the month, juggling family life, work, and other engagements that were in the calendar, I was a little daunted. Every day off doubles the required distance the following day, so I knew there would be some big sessions. I challenged myself with a couple of big rides too. The 100km road bike, my longest ride since 2023, and the ~150km mountain bike, my longest EVER. 

There were days where I didn't feel like it. A rough nights' sleep, long day in the office, late night with the kids, there's so many reasons to be lazy and not do it. The mental game to keep pushing and the physical challenge to saddle up again were always there, I found the motivation in my fundraising balance, and in the support of my donors. 

Now I'm here, September 29th. Last night I rode 55km and rode over the "finish line" at 1,070kms. The same distance as riding the full length of State Highway 1 in the North Island, from Wellington Airport to Cape Reinga Lighthouse carpark. 

The body feels good, the mind feels achieved, and the month comes to an end with the biggest sense of humble appreciation for all of the people who donated their hard earned dollars, who messaged their support, and who understood the assignment and gave me some flexibility to achieve it. The person who showed me all of this and the rest? My Wife, Jo. You held the fort at home, doing all the mahi and making sure the wheels didn't fall off. You made a finish line for my big ride, and you were there for me when I needed the push to get out the door again for another ride. Thank you. 

Day 15, halfway through. 445 kms ridden and it's fair to say that this challenge is pushing my limits. Fitting in riding around home and work life, and other adventures has been a challenge in itself. A last minute phone call this morning changed today's plans and I quickly threw my bike in the ute so I can knock out another commute home tonight for another 40kms. What drives this home for me is the support I've had already, $2,286 received in donations is humbling! Thank you again to every single one of you that has donated. The other thing that resonantes is the 'battle'. It would be so easy to say I'm not going to ride today, I don't have it in me. But the finish line doesn't get closer if I do that, so the push continues. The willpower to take the Wellington Nor'Wester to the face for 40kms home tonight, the rain in the forecast that I know will hit when I'm halfway and have no option to keep going. This weekend I'm going to tackle a 100km road cycle circuit, so pray for a decent day for me :)

Here we are... A third of the way through the month, and the body is definitely starting to feel the repetition of saddle time! 347kms completed, one destroyed tire thanks to a piece of metal on the road, some new bike kit from my awesome family for Father's Day, and more support for this great cause than I could have envisaged. I thought I was being overly optimistic setting a target of $2,000, but thanks to the generosity of the incredible people in my life, I'm already at $2,234! Target is now set at $3,000, and I'm confident I can get there. 

To all the people who have backed me, thank you. This challenge is something I would do even if the money was 10% of what it is, but the more than trickles into the bank, the more motivated I am to make this a huge month and see the 1,000kms knocked off. I've got a pretty big final ride on the cards, so let's keep this pumping and get it done!

Out the gate hard over the course of last week, 5 consecutive days and 222kms under the belt. Sunday being Father's Day was a break to reset, spend some time with family, and get my focus in for another week on the saddle ahead. Waking this morning to a freezing Wellington Southerly and rain doesn't change that I need to get the distance ticking over as this weekend I'm away with some friends, so I need to be at least 3 days ahead of the average 33kms before I go. 

I want to take a moment to thanks all of the people who have donated to my challenge so far. Regardless of the contribution, it's the total that counts, and I am so very grateful to all of you for the support. 

One more ride after work tonight should close out the week over the 250km mark, but there's still plenty of life in the legs and another 750 to go!!

6 days to go! I’m not going to lie, the gravity of what I’m about to do is dawning on me… add in a calf strain and currently recovering from an Influenza A battle and I’m feeling a little nervous about this now. Thinking about it though, it fits the box pretty well really… two weeks ago I was sitting here prepping for something epic and suddenly things changed. In NO way am I implying that a calf strain and a bad cold are anywhere near the same as the gravity hit of a prostate diagnosis, not for a second. But it did make me think about all those blokes out there who had it all planned out when the news came that changed everything. 

I’m also incredibly humbled by the generous people I’m lucky to have in my life. To be over the $500 mark already is an amazing feeling, and I can’t thank you enough for the contributions you have made. Not only are you helping out a great cause, you’re absolutely motivating me to smash this out of the park!! 

You guys are awesome, and I appreciate you and your generosity so so much!! 

I've done it, I'm committed to the cause now, and while I'm slightly daunted by having to hold a 33km/day distance average, with perseverance and a bit of grit I'm going to smash this!

My donations link is up and active now, because let's face it, in these economic times the most outrageous aspect of this challenge is going to be raising a whopping TWO GRAND! But like any elephant, it's best eaten in portions. So if you can help me eat this beast - even with a fiver - it would be amazing to roll over the line on September 30th at a thousand k's ridden and two thousand raised. Thanks to everyone who helps out on this, you're all amazing!