Kristie Gallio (support crew)

What was your involvement in "Cycle 4 Sam"?

My involvement in the Cycle4Sam was support crew bus driver/photographer for the WHOLE distance at 25km/hr. I was also involved in accomodation logistics for the Cycle4Sam team and their families. After the event I was involved in the production of Cycle4Sam the movie with Jaimie Holland which involved about 300hours of editing. Prior to the event i was on the catering team and set up crew for the benefit night to launch cycle4sam.

What did "Cycle 4 Sam" mean to you?

My experiences of cycle4sam gave me the opportunity to meet and get to know a fantastic group of people who were bound by one thing - their love of little Sam Roberts and the Roberts family and also a single objective - a desire to make the journey for other families with sick children easier. Being a part of Sam's journey was very special and changed my life in so many ways, so many positives were drawn from a devastating event. To have the chance to help raise funds for the foundation is a way of celebrating Sam's life in a positive way.

What is your favourite memory from "Cycle 4 Sam"?

My favourite memory of the Cycle4Sam journey was the whole of day 1 from the perfect launch at Torquay, riding along the Great Ocean Road, with fantastic weather, views, friendship, a sense of excitement - it was bliss.

I also really enjoyed the togetherness that was experienced at the Nelson caravan park, sharing a meal, sensing that the worst was perhaps behind us and regrouping after horrible day 2.

What did you personally achieve from "Cycle 4 Sam"?

I guess the greatest sense of achievement was more of a group achievement, a team of support that got those 6 riders through day 2 of the trip. The weather was not favourable and each of the riders were experiencing their own personal challenge. There was a real sense I guess of PERSEVERANCE  and determination - if we can achieve this and get to Warrnambool then we will get through the whole trip - teamwork and mateship. Once we arrived it was also such an emotional release - a stressful day that eventually had a happy ending.

Any other comments?

I value the experience and being invited/allowed to be apart of it. I look forward to the future events and challenges that can be achieved as a team but will benefit the wider community. Thank you to the team but most particularly the Roberts Family for inviting me to journey with them and Sam but also taking the journey to help others.

Warren Jones (support crew)

my involvement?

bus driver -  when Mark Reid was nearby- I was a slave

What it meant to me?

a lot of satisfaction  - let's face it - Kristie & I got through without strangling each other

Favourite memory ?

watching the silly bastards cycle into blinding rain while I turned up the heater

What I achieved? 

bonding with peers ,contributing in a very small way to the memory of Sam & helping Dutchy get through his pain barrier.

Mike Ebert (rider, Kingston to Adelaide)

The rides goals were affective in that it was to help and benefit others. I applaud Marty and Michelle for this as it was a selfless act and one that is rarely seen today.

The ride was and still is inspirational to me. I often reflect on the arrival of the group into Meningie. This was fantastic and an event I wish my family could have witnessed and been a part of. The euphoria that encapsulated everyone from riders to spectators was great and it still makes me smile to think of all the hugs and high fives shared at the end of this day.

From Liat Harrower: (mother of Mitchell (NPC) Melbourne)

We met Michelle, Marty, Lucy and Charlie for the first time at the inaugural Cycle 4 Sam in April 2006.  Like them, our family too has been affected by Niemann-Pick disease.  Our youngest son Mitchell has the same condition that Sam had – NP type C.  Mitchell’s older sister Taylor (7 years old) is NPC free.

It was an incredibly humbling experience to meet the extended Roberts clan - their friends, relatives and cyclists – such beautiful, courageous and generous people.  So giving of themselves, their time and their experience.

It was the first time Dougie and I had met another family who had travelled this path.  Michelle and Marty’s commitment to the memory of their beautiful son was honoured in the most amazing way.  You had to have been there on the cliffs of Torquay overlooking Bass Strait that morning to truly understand.  The warmth of the sun burning into the cliffs and turning them iridescent orange, the occasional surfer trying hard to catch an almost non-existent wave, and the blue, blue sky – punctuated by the blaze of colour of dozens of balloons sent skyward while all the children (18 at least I think!!) went tearing down the grassy hill urging them into the sky.  Their laughter, energy and joyfulness filled our hearts as we, the adults, remained still - silently watching them. 

How do you describe something that is all at once beautiful yet tragic?  I know Dougie and I, and I suspect many people there that morning on the clifftops of Torquay had similarly conflicting feelings.  Sam’s presence was almost palpable, and I’m sure that he was smiling despite our tears.

To Michelle and Marty, what can we say?  You are truly remarkable people and it is evidenced by how you have channelled your efforts and energy into such an outstanding cause, during a time in your lives when anyone would have forgiven you for sounding ‘retreat’.  Instead you continue to give.  And in more ways than you can know to this particular family. 

Thankyou so much for allowing us to share this most amazing experience with you, your friends and your family.  It is a memory that will stay with us forever, and I am sure give us the courage, resolve and commitment for our particular journey.

Liat xx

From Douglas Harrower: (father of Mitchell (NPC) Melbourne)

Cycle 4 Sam was such an amazing experience. Our son Mitchell, has the same terrible disease that tragically took the life of young Sam. I had lived the first 4 years of Mitchell’s life well aware of the fact that we may not have him around for a very long time. I was always the optimist, always telling people, especially Liat, my wife that there would be nothing to worry about, that Mitchell will be cured one day. Whilst I portrayed this optimism, deep down I was hiding from the truth that Mitchell will some day be lost to us. I could not face this fact. I had no interest in learning about this disease or associate with people suffering the same fate as us.

How wrong I was.

Through meeting Marty and Michelle, their wonderful children and family, I saw things from a different perspective. The spirit of Sam will always live on. There is no point in hiding from the fact that this same fate may fall on Mitchell one day. I do pray it doesn’t happen, but if it does, then I shall be ready for it, but in the meantime I will be enjoying every living day that Mitchell is with us.

I did finally manage to visit Marty and Michelle in Adelaide for a brief evening. Marty took me to his signature ‘visitor’ restaurant. It was a wonderful evening. Understandably, most of the discussion was about our sons and the Cycle 4 Sam event. The fund-raising for the Adelaide Hospital is still on-going, and the amount they have raised is staggering.

I hope that we can return the hospitality one day when they visit us here in Melbourne.

Douglas xxx                               

Richard Fuller (Rider, Torquay to Adelaide)

Being involved in the cycle4sam event has been a great privilege. It has provided many strong emotions and fantastic memories. Seeing and experiencing the strength, love and support of the Roberts and Ward families was uplifting.

The cycle4sam fund raising effort and result has been unbelievable. The ride itself was superbly organized and supported. Many individuals contributed so much to make it all possible and ultimately, a great success. It is without any doubt, the best ‘team’ event that I have been involved in, with so many people, so willingly and so selflessly giving their time and effort to help. The ‘mateship’ that developed within the group of people who trained for and then participated in the ride is very special.

The ride was very much a family event, with the partners and children of the riders and the support crew, addling to the atmosphere of celebration. There is a great sense of satisfaction in having been able to contribute to something very worthwhile. Marty, Michelle and Sam Roberts are truly inspirational.

Tom Melville (Rider, Torquay to Adelaide)

Twelve weeks out from the event, Marty & I were enjoying the view as we coasted down from Norton Summit. Marty was telling me about Sam and about CycLe4Sam. He asked me whether I’d like to join the event. Although I didn’t know Marty and Michelle very well at that stage, I was touched by Marty’s resolve to make life better for kids like Sam. I felt very privileged to be invited to join the CycLe4Sam team.

Once committed to CycLe4Sam, I realised what a huge undertaking the whole event was. While there was a lot to do, the biggest challenge was getting my 42 year old legs and cardiovascular system up to the task. I had only taken up cycling as a regular sport six months earlier and knew I had a lot of work ahead of me to get fit. I was clearly the least fit of the six of the group that had committed to the full 958km (from Torquay to Adelaide).

Richard Fuller, our team coach, set up a training regime and was very encouraging to all of us. He was especially helpful to me and gave me the confidence that I could keep up. Training was tough, but always fun at the same time – such a great group of people.

From the first minute to the last, the ride from Torquay to Adelaide was fantastic. Sure, there were times where the legs, bum, neck, whole body ached, but the company on the road and off the road was always cheerful, fun and inspiring – we were a real team. Cyclists, bus drivers, support crew – everyone worked and played brilliantly together.

Having our families including lots of kids being fully involved with the event really added to the experience. Explaining to people along the way what the event was all about before extracting a gold coin donation (especially at the cafes while we ‘refuelled’), waving and yelling encouragement as we rode by and kicking the footy with us after our ride – the kids were great. The family time at the end of each day was very special. On top of that, the massages from Sue, Jane and Richard and the scrumptious meals produced by Michael at the end of each day’s riding were the icing on the cake!

There were many great moments leading up to, during and after CycLe4Sam. But for me, Marty and Michelle’s energy and enthusiasm combined with their desire to give are what I’ll always remember. They have given so much to raise awareness of Niemann-Pick disease and to help sick children. I continue to be inspired by them and feel privileged to have been a part of CycLe4Sam.

Tom Melville.

Rohan Dennis (Blackfriars Year 11 student - Meningie to Adelaide)

I was invited by Mr Roberts to ride from Meningie to Adelaide. It meant a lot to be apart of such a great cause, in memory of such a brave kid. It would have been the longest ride I have ever done (156km). I really enjoyed this opportunity and I made many friends out of the ride.

I would like to thank Mr Roberts for the opportunity to ride and to be involved in such a great cause. Although it was freezing at first it was one of the best rides I have ever been on!

Pictured below the “Blackfriars Crew” from left:

Rohan Dennis, Daniel Cox, Marty Roberts, Callum Thomas, Mark Reid, Ben Tkalec