MILTON TO "SMILE FOR SMIDDY''

HE can't seem to stay away from the big rides and at the end of May Michael will take part in theMidi-Smiddy, a demanding 570 kilometre ride over just three days around south east Queensland.

The Midi-Smiddy is a spin-off from its parent event the Bottlemart Smiling for Smiddy Challenge, a much longer 1600 kilometre eight day ride from Brisbane to Townsville.

The event was started by Mark Smoothy to honour his friend Adam Smiddy who died from melanoma in 2006. In just four years the event has raised more than $1.1 million for cancer research and health care.

Although keen to complete the longer ride, Michael is content to start with the Midi-Smiddy which he will take along good friend Wayne Weatherill from Kokoda Spirit who has led Michael across Kokoda twice.

"Wayne's keen to do some more cycling after we did some mountain-biking in PNG last year. He's pretty fit and strong but I'm looking forward to punishing him a little. After two trips across Kokoda, it's my turn to be the one inflicting the pain.

"I'd really love to do the longer Smiling for Smiddy Challenge but I'd prefer to ease myself into it, although riding 560km in three days is no picnic. I have ridden from Brisbane to Toowoomba before and the climb at the end is a very tough one."

The Midi-Smiddy Challenge, to be held 28-30 May, will see 40 cyclists tackle the course which includes a return loop from Brisbane taking in Toowoomba and Warwick and two 200 kilometre plus days of cycling.

Midi-Smiddy ChallengeRoute

Stage One: Brisbane - Toowoomba, 208kms

Stage Two: Toowoomba - Warwick, 147kms

Stage Three: Warwick - Brisbane, 217kms

Riders will raise funds for the Mater Foundation as the major beneficiary and contribute to a goal to raise $750,000 across Smiddy events in 2010.

Find out more by visiting the website.

If you wish to participate please contact Mark Smoothy at sharky@smiddy.org.au

Click here to make a donation to the Mater Foundation online.

Photo: Michael and Wayne take a quick photo while mountain biking in the dark on Mt Majura in Canberra. They are both in training for the Midi-Smiddy in May.