Started 10 years ago with just 320 riders, it has today become the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The ride raises awareness of prostate cancer and generates vital funding for research and education about the disease.

The Long Ride is an epic adventure over 13 days. It started with riders in Northern Territory departing Sunday, October 8. Riders start from their own state and travel towards Tasmania throughout regional and rural areas of Australia. All riders rendezvoused in Tasmania by October 14 and then travelled together to their final destination at Launceston on October 19. The previous Long Ride in 2016 raised over $400,000 for PCFA, and a total of $1.2 million has been raised since the first ride 10 years ago in 2007.

Long Ride 2017 ambassador and television presenter, James Tobin, participated in the ride for a third time after joining all riders in Tasmania. 

“After the 2016 ride to Margaret River, I can say PCFA’s Long Ride truly is a great experience with a top bunch of people for a very important and worthy cause,” he said. 

“Riding a Harley across Australia has been a bucket list dream of mine, and sharing the experience with hundreds of other motorcyclists makes it that much better.

“The Long Ride journey goes to the heart of outback Australia, starting conversations about men’s health and generating funds to assist education and research into prostate cancer.

“It’s an inspiring event to be a part of.”

Chris Dunne OAM, founder and organiser of The Long Ride says he started the ride to save himself from a ‘tough spot’ after leaving the Air Force.

“I decided to ride up to Darwin and my son suggested I invite some others and ride for a cause,” Mr Dunne said. 

“320 people rode into Darwin beside me 10 years ago.

“During that ride a prostate cancer survivor told me the experience had given him a new lease on life and suggested we ride for prostate cancer awareness the next year.

“Funds from the ride have gone to PCFA ever since.”

“The welcome into the towns is exceptional.

“Men come and raise their health problems with us.

“Many don’t want to talk to a doctor.

“I say ‘would you rather be in a box, or sitting in the lounge room with your wife?’

“After the ride we get emails of thanks from men and their wives.”

Associate professor Anthony Lowe, CEO of PCFA says prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and in regional and rural Australia there’s a 21% higher prostate cancer mortality rate than those in major cities.

“It is known that men living in rural or disadvantaged areas in Australia have lower rates of PSA testing, higher risk of advanced prostate cancer, poorer survival, and worse access to or use of medical services than men living in urban or affluent areas.,” associate professor Lowe said.

“The Long Ride not only brings support to people in these areas, but helps raise vital funds to assist PCFA continue to provide evidence-based education, resources and fund break-through prostate cancer research,” Professor Lowe said.

For more information please visit http://www.freewebs.com/longride2010/