More than a bike ride: the story behind Lise’s Pedal for Parkinson’s journey

Thursday, 28th August 2025

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For Lise (Leez) joining Pedal for Parkinson’s was about more than kilometres on the bike — it was about friendship, resilience, and standing shoulder to shoulder with those impacted by Parkinson’s. Over three years, she has discovered strength in herself, forged deep bonds with her riding community, and been inspired by the courage of riders living with Parkinson’s.

Here, she shares her experience.

What inspired you to get involved with the Pedal for Parkinson’s event?

My beautiful riding friend Jen’s enthusiasm for the challenge and the cause (Jen’s late father had Parkinson’s) got me signed on in a flash for the inaugural Pedal for Parkinson’s Tasmania (PfP) in 2022.

Over the last 3 years I have cemented amazing friendships, old and new. I am inspired, encouraged, and blown away by what I have learned every trip. All that noise about exercise and the release of feel-good hormones, every article I have read is proven true every year; with the most bonding rides being the ones where we must challenge ourselves that little bit more i.e. cold, wind, rain, dark mornings, distance, climbing, mechanicals, and heat. We all work hard, from the front cyclists who take turns to pull the group along, to the rear rider who do the same climbs and same distance, for longer, and often without a lead cyclist to draft. Add in a few stories, some very patient volunteers (I’m looking at you Janet, Matilda & Michelle) a lot of knowledge (Dr Matt & Physio Michelle), three riders with Parkinson’s (Craig, Sandi and Shayne), plus a passionate leader (Sarah and her supportive fiancé Matilda) and you have an unmissable event.

When we signed on in 2022 Sarah Buckpitt the founder of PfP had mapped out an amazing ride (though we did do a tiny bit of a reroute off a major section of highway out of Hobart) of 500km over 5-days. Sarah’s beautiful mother Rosie came along on the journey and drove a support vehicle filled with baked goods, sports nutrition, and a little bit of pride.

What was your experience of each year you were involved? Any highlights? Challenges?

When I rode in 2022 I had recently undergone surgery and treatment. Under my cycling kit I was wearing special clothing that helps to circulate lymphatic fluid and stop painful fluid retention. I had slightly reduced lung capacity but nothing that stopped me putting in hours of training beforehand. The Pedal for Parkins’s ride was not about personal best times (they were all new segments so each one was tackled the best we could on the day) but about endurance and riding supportively with a dear friend, for a cause that is close to her heart.

My biggest fear is always the availability of freshly brewed coffee in out of the way places, with the second biggest fear being the sore bits that might happen in ‘out of the way places’ with five days of challenging and continuous cycling.

On training rides and the inevitable coffee stops that go along with them we had many a conversation about AeroPress’, thermoses, hand grinders and what distance is acceptable for a coffee detour on a mapped-out ride. I still think the best idea a cycling buddy envisaged was having a coffee van as the rear support vehicle. Anyone keen to run with this?

Absolute highlights. Sarah being such a boss organising us all: sponsors, kit, bags (argh let’s not talk about the logistics of these as the numbers have grown to capacity over the years). Sarah’s growth as a tireless leader. Always leading with compassion, consideration, and an open mind. This young woman is an absolute boss, she can reverse a trailer, smash out a media release, and blog like you would not believe. She can also command attention at daily (noisy) rider briefs with a quiet ‘hey’.

Riding 500km in 5-days in hail, snow, huge downpours and wind, up some huge climbs and down some steep, wet and tight descents is nothing compared to the challenges faced by the cycling buddies that joined us last year who are living with Parkinson’s: Craig, Sandi and Shayne and the over 150,000 (I believe) people living with Parkinson’s in Australia. We got to hear their stories over the days as well as to hear from experts in the field, Matt (neurologist) and Michelle (physio). I was astonished to learn of Shayne’s implants – brain electrodes and chest and heartened to hear about the immediate difference it makes to his quality of life. Craig’s tenacity on the bike on days when he looked utterly shattered was inspiring, as is his huge support crew of family, relatives, and friends. Sandi’s drive to do yet another stint on an unadapted bicycle was incredibly brave. Sandi received assistance from a carer who drove a support car and provided aide. Of the cycling crew accompanying Sandi when she rode, Cate was an absolute standout. Always chatting and always encouraging even in the downpour that was eighty percent of the 2024 final day.

The participants living with Parkinson’s shared real, often raw, and astonishing learnings. In fact, I distinctly remember feeling overwhelmed hearing Shayne’s story at dinner after a long day on the bike and four days in.

As a collective we have huge love for them, and every member of our crew that rode and supported them.

I know people joined for a myriad reasons, but it would not be fair not to mention two of the supporters Julian (2023 & 24) and Jesse – volunteer photographer and bike mechanic (2023) who always rode with the tail enders despite being our fastest riders. No ego and no agenda, and in Jesse’s case no holiday pay.

Huge thanks to my southern Tas bike enthusiasts and supporters that have joined us (and I haven’t mention so far) Ros, Sefik, Mark, Geoff, Trish, Ian, Garry, Heather, Fiona Rob, Kate, David, John, Fran, Merry and Char (in no particular order).

How was the fundraising side of things?

The very first year we raised a mighty sum considering we were such a small crew. Only three of us rode all five days. Though so saying we had a big crew of riders gathered to ride us into Hobart on the last day, and around ten people join us for full days. Jen in her professional work life has amazing contacts who were very generous with sponsorship and would you believe baked goods. Two people met us in a remote spot on the east cost of Tassie with a basket of freshly baked muffins. And yes, they were warm and utterly delicious.

Fundraising for me has been consistent. There have been two big surprising anonymous donations, which is amazingly encouraging. My fundraising philosophy is rather than sponsor fellow riders lesser amounts, to simply whack the money onto my own page. That way I will not miss pay-back sponsoring of any of my ride friends. My philosophy is to keep my donor dollars close to home. You cannot get a better bang for your sponsorship buck than one hundred percent going directly to the magnificent work of the Shake it Up Australia Foundation which is exactly the case here.

Having fresh people join us each year has meant that new sponsors come along for the ride (pun intended). Last year we smashed what I considered to be an ambitious fund-raising goal, set by the wonderful Sarah, and I see no reason that we cannot aim for something as similarly fantastic again this year.

What advice do you have for anyone thinking to get involved with the Pedal for Parkinson’s this year?

Preparation is key. Find hills and put in the time on the bike. Let everyone know what you are doing and ask them for support – donations, yes absolutely; and also, those words and messages to check you are going out on a frigid winter/spring day and to ask how you are doing.

Cycling can be hard-work. There is also a huge time commitment not just the hours in the saddle but also time spent maintaining your bike, charging equipment, looking at gear online (teehee) and engaging with your people in a myriad of forums. Strava being top of the list! It is also hugely bonding, and extremely fun. Fresh air, beautiful countryside, time to chat, laugh, support, and encourage. Cycling with a cause is another level of terrific all together.

For Lise, Pedal for Parkinson’s has been about more than kilometres ridden or dollars raised. It’s been about friendship, perseverance, and the chance to ride alongside those living with Parkinson’s. Her story is a reminder of the power of community, the joy of giving, and the difference that can be made when we ride together for a cure. Join the Pedal for Parkinson’s virtual ride today and make serious waves for Parkinson’s.