Pedal power gets a boost

ONE of the region’s most established charity bike rides is going electric.
The Mt Franklin Cardiac Challenge has introduced a special pack just for e-bike riders this year, with a pair of accomplished riders being named pack leaders.
The event, hosted by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, is an annual charity fundraiser for cardiac services in FNQ and is in its 13th year.
Noel Rumble and Jackie Shannon are excited to work together as “leaders of the pack” for the ebike pack.
Mr Rumble has ridden the event 10 times but this is his first on his new ebike. “For me, the main advantage is to be able to climb steep hills without bursting a bubble. I would like to climb the ranges and enjoy it,” Mr Rumble said.
“The battery charge lasts about four hours when using full power. The challenge for all the ebike riders will be to conserve the battery so that on the longest days, there is some charge left to get us through the day,” he said.
Busy mum-of-three Jackie Shannon said she has loved the Cardiac Challenge on her roadie, but having an ebike means she can ride more kilometres in less time while having lots of fun.
Mrs Shannon is the wife of Brad Shannon, owner of Pump n Pedals which has sponsored the ride since inception.
Foundation fundraising and marketing manager and Cardiac Challenge director Glenys Duncombe said the ebike pack will be one to watch.
“We’ve got a few registrations already before we announced this special pack. It will be good to keep them in their own pack so they can ride comfortably at their own pace.
“We’ve had tandems before, we’ve had one rider do Desailly Range on a unicycle, we’ve had blind people and one gentleman who only has one leg. Ebikes are increasingly popular and having their own dedicated pack will ensure the ride continues in a safe manner,” Ms Duncombe said.
Funds raised from this year’s Mt Franklin Cardiac Challenge will go towards a paediatric cardiac ultrasound and a respiratory ultrasound.