TIME TO GET SERIOUS, AND RIDE FOR LIFE!

What a lot of fun was had on this amazing journey! I had a whale of a time, and by all accounts a lot of other people did too, who decided to be a part of it at various points along the way. As a result of what I did, it seems that some of you were inspired to pursue your own dreams, and for that I am humbled, and very very glad. It truly warms the heart to think that I've had a positive influence, especially since I wasn't even actively trying! This blog is all but finished for new entries regarding my trip across the States, apart from some padding out and the addition of new photos, which will happen over the next week or two. However, if I get enough protests and/or requests to warrant continuing it, I will carry on supplementing it with on-going details of my planned exploits over the coming summer. Register your on-going interest in the comments section, if you want More of Max...

(By the way, Denise, I finally succumbed to temptation and bought a pink jacket, like one of yours. It is extremely pink. I won't be able to ride incognito again. Ever.)

However, while personal life will definitely continue to be exciting, its time to get on with the next project, which isn't so personal. I have now launched myself into the Herceptin Peaceful Protest Ride, planned to take place next March around the North Island of New Zealand. This project has the support of The Herceptin Fighting Fund, which comes under the umbrella of the Breast Cancer Aotea Coalition, and the aim of the event is to try and influence the goverment to do a u-turn on their decision thus far to not fund the drug beyond 3 treatments for women who need a full seventeen treatments. I was originally going to organise this ride to go down the east coast of Australia, but the timing of the expected decision on the current judicial review on the government's decision, to fund or not to fund the treatment, suggests that the North Island will be a more appropriate location, with the ride planned to end at The Beehive, New Zealand's seat of Parliament, in a peaceful but hopefully effectively noisy protest just before the decision is expected to be handed down. It also means that participation will be a lot more possible for a lot more riders and pillions, and that's the whole idea. Numbers! Bikes! An impactive, collective voice! That's what we're after. And, as pink is the Breast Cancer colour, lets see lots of pink bike jackets happening (c'mon all you macho fellas, this is no time to be shy). Don't let me be the only pinkie in the pack...

More information is available on my website at www.herceptinriders.co.nz so if you want to find out more, including how you can be a part of this protest as a rider, as a pillion, as a sponsor, or as a supporter in any other appropriate way, log onto that and have a read. My email link is on there, for anyone who wants to contact me about the Peaceful Protest Ride, with feedback, questions, requests for further information and offers of support. There's a downloadable petition form too, for people to print off and give us a hand with, out here.

Cheers, and happy riding to y'all, worldwide. You blog-watching riders over there in the States and in the UK... don't forget your thermals!