Cannonball, yes Cannonball!!! Just like that classic 80’s movie, I got my note of where to register through the mail and it was on. Once again I felt part of some highly secretive underground movement about to do something very, very, very illegal. But, no, this is the annual Cannonball Charity Ride and this year it was all about raising money and profile for sufferers of the debilitating disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). Unlike that 1980’s illegal race across America no rules would be broken here, very bent yes, broken no! This year’s 5,600km 12day ride was from Bribie Island, Qld to Barossa Valley, SA via Alice Springs, just for the heck of it.

Following on from the welcome dinner the previous night we were revved up before light and keen to get underway to ride some awesome tracks and, if we could in any way, bring attention to what amazing people like Dean have to live with everyday. But Cannonball rides are adventure rides and the adventure was about to begin. We left smack on 7.30am during a live cross to the ABC breakfast program and less then an hour later Erik threw his 990R away at a deep washout. Yep, it was going to be a long ride.

Due to the whole of Qld being a bit soggy, you may have heard about the flooding up here, conditions for the first day were wet and slippery. One of the tracks had us crossing the backwater of the Brisbane River times and with the water three feet deep and flowing fast, our progress was slow. Four bikes ended up under water, but hats came off for our sweep that didn’t only drown his bike, he got it stuck under a log!

David 'Zebra' van der Walt rides one of the swollen creeks - he made it safely.

Spot's are filling fast are you coming? In Katie's words "If you don’t see your name here and you want to come on the 2012 ride, then I suggest you get your nomination form completed and forwarded to me with your deposit to hold your place."

Well the 2011 ride has just finished but we are not resting on our laurels and planning is already underway for next years ride.

Starting on the Gold Coast, Queensland and finishing in Perth via the Great Australian Bight. Winding its way across Qld and Northern NSW before heading down through SA and across the Bight before taking in the sights of South Western WA, the ride will take place end of March and will run for 12-14 days and cover approx 6000-6500kms

Highlights include:

• Tibooburra and Cameron Corner
• Strzelecki Track
• Lake Gairdner
• Goog's Track
• The Great Australian Bight
• The Old Eyre Highway and Coach Road
• The Super Pit
• The Holland Track
• Wave Rock
• Albany
• Valley of the Giants

Click here for the nomination form the 2012 Ride or contact Katie via email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phoning on 0402 750 900.

What an adventure!  Nearly 6,000klm off road from Bribe Island to the beautiful Barossa via Uluru, raising much needed awareness and funds for DEBRA with a great bunch of people.  Thanks to Kate and the Cannonballers, $32,000 has been raised to keep the national EB Nurse program going.  As DEBRA is made up of mainly volunteers and very limited resources this is a huge benefit for our small organisation.

As Simone (DEBRA VIC) and I were new comers to the ride we weren’t sure what to expect.  We had our swags, tent, limited clothing and marketing material (even managed to sneak in a blow dryer).  My new Triton was packed up with all the gear we needed (which we thankfully didn’t have to use, like the spare tyres) and off we headed.  Lindenberg & Co Mitsubishi generously sponsored the fuel and officials fees for the DEBRA crew.  Along with support from local businesses in the Pittsworth District, the ride was all made possible for DEBRA to be involved.