"Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth - Rumi"
ABOUT
Tour Des Chateau is a unique two-week event in Picardy France and Europe for keen cyclists from Australia and the UK. The event started in 2022 and is in its second year.
The 2024 events will cover 800 KM through rural France and Belgium.
The trip includes accommodation and stay for week 1 in the Mortazavi Château situated in Vervins in the Picardy region of France.
Week 1 the riders will enjoy rides through the heart of France's bread basket and enjoy trips to the historic towns of Laon, Chimay, Reims and Lille. The week will encompass a trip to Paris and some rides around the beautiful city,
Week 2 will see us travel to the south of France climbing three iconic climbs including Alpe d'Huez and Mount Ventoux.
The ride will be in memory of Catherine Handley who lost her battle to ovarian cancer in March 2024.
The money raised will go to the Peter MacCallum Institute in Melbourne: one of the world's leading cancer research institutes.
This is an opportunity to ride in France, Belgium and Europe, live in a French Chateau, experience local European culture, and make lifelong friends while contributing to an excellent cause.
The days are all well-planned. All you need to do is arrive and enjoy the main event.
2024 - Rides and Routes
Fortified Churches
1
51.8 km
Distance
m
Elevation
Gain
Laon
2
91.4 km
Distance
909m
Elevation
Gain
Paris
Chimay
4
133.91 km
Distance
1670m
Elevation
Gain
Week 1 : 1st June - 9th June
3
TBD
Distance
TBDm
Elevation
Gain
Guise
5
62.96 km
Distance
534m
Elevation
Gain
Week 2 : 10th June - 14th June
Alp D’Huez
6
53.28 km
Distance
1,860m
Elevation
Gain
Col de la Madeleine
7
38.59 km
Distance
1,530m
Elevation
Gain
Mont Ventoux
8
44.53 km
Distance
1,601m
Elevation
Gain
Peter Mac is the home of Australia’s largest cancer research group and is embedded within a hospital. Researchers ride in the lifts with patients and their worried loved ones. Peter Mac’s laboratory researchers are embedded within the hospital environment and are uniquely placed to translate research discoveries as quickly as possible into real treatments for cancer patients. This is an incredible driver.
Their researchers are passionate and determined to find new and better treatments, as quickly as possible, so that every person with cancer has the best chance of being cured.
The research program encompasses 31 laboratories and approximately 600 laboratory scientists, clinician-researchers, research nurses and other health professionals. They are involved in basic, pre-clinical and translational research, clinical trials and research to improve the social, emotional and physical impacts of cancer on patients, their families and carers.
Researchers work across all types of cancer. At the heart of everything they do are the patients. Researchers are searching for new and better ways to:
(1) Prevent cancers before they occur, so that fewer people need to face the words “You have cancer."
(2) Detect cancers at an early stage, so that patients have the best chance of being cured.
(3) Treat cancers in ways that are more effective, and have fewer side-effects.
(4) Cure patients’ cancers so they can lead long and happy lives, free from cancer.
Their cancer researchers are internationally recognized for their leading role in accelerating the search for cancer cures. However, they rely on donations from the public to make their vital work possible.
Peter Mac's 2,500-strong workforce of talented staff, many of whom are world-leaders in their field, are passionate about their role in helping to eliminate cancer. Each year they care for over 29,000 people with cancer, and every day their researchers contribute to advances in treatment, driving better survival rates for patients. They are grateful to all their supporters who share their passion to reduce the burden of cancer on our community and have endorsed Tour Des Chateau as an official Fund Raiser.
Together we can make a difference or as the say they would say in France 'ensemble nous pouvons faire la différence'.
Sponsors
Catherine Handley
This year Tours de Chateau is dedicated to my friend and and ex-work colleague Catherine Handley, who tragically lost her life to ovarian cancer. The first time I learned about Catherine's cancer was when I posted the first TDC in 2021. This was the message I got back from Catherine on Facebook:
“Your post today was so apt Shad! I just had to tell you it was just what I needed to see. Like you had a sixth sense Thank you. First round chemo recovery this week after a quick and unexpected diagnosis of Ovarian cancer! Sometimes we never know what battle is going to hit us and when!”
Catherine was one of the first people to donate to TDC 2021 and I told her story in my first round of fundraising. I reached out to Catherine in November 2023 after I saw this picture on Facebook celebrating Eva (her daughter) becoming a teenager
We never got to have that call and in March received the following update on her Facebook page:
This is Catherine’s sister Shelly. It’s with a very heavy heart that I write to let you all know that Catherine passed away on 3/3/24 after an inspirational and tremendous battle with ovarian cancer.
I was heartbroken for Catherine, Eva, Xav, Shelly and all the people who will miss Catherine. It both took the wind out of my sails and put the wind back in. The only way to reduce the number of people who lose their lives to cancer is by funding research.
I first met Catherine in person in 2014 when I moved back to Australia. She took the time to make the family and I welcome and showed the genuine friendship and warmth that Australians are known for. We became friends and I always enjoyed Catherine's relaxed and optimistic approach to everything. Every time I spoke to Catherine she took tremendous pride in her kids and running a successful Accounting business. She was always a good listener and was genuine with her empathy. Catherine leaves behind two beautiful kids Eva and Xav.
Catherine was an inspiration for the 2021 TDC, we spoke about her on the Camino de Santiago on the 2022 TDC and this year we would like to dedicate the ride to Catherine.
I'll miss you mate.
2024 Gallery
TDC 2o24
in 2024 TDC travelled to :
- Vervins (FRE)
- Laon (FRE)
- Chimay (BEL)
- Alpe D'huez (FRE)
- Bedoin (FRE)
- Mount Ventoux (FRE)
2024 riders and fundraisers:
- Rick Morar (AU)
- Paul Anderson (AU)
- Chris Roberts (AU)
- Patrick Quah(AU)
- Shad Mortazavi (AU)
- Omid Mortazavi (GB)
Money Raised for Charity
$7,021AUD for the Peter Mac foundation
Statistics
459 KM
7.343 M climbing
Week 1 – The team cycled through the fortified churches and farms surrounding Vervins including the historic town of Leon. They also ventured into Belgium to the famous town of Chimay..
Week 2- The team travelled to south of France and completed the Tour de France climbs of Alpe D'Huez and Mont Ventoux!
2023 Gallery
TDC 2o23
in 2023 TDC travelled to :
- Vervins (FRE)
- Laon (FRE)
- Oudenaarde (BEL)
- Chimay (BEL)
- St Sabastian (SPN)
- Pampolonia (SPN)
- Ponferrada (SPN)
- Sarria (SPN)
- Santiago de Compostela (SPN)
Money Raised for Charity
$18,212 AUD for the Peter Mac foundation
2023 riders and fundraisers:
- Rick Morar (AU)
- Paul Anderson (AU)
- Gary Nisbett (AU)
- Carlo Nizeti (AU)
- Shad Mortazavi (AU)
- Omid Mortazavi (GB)
- Mathew Erwin (AU)
Statistics
775 KM
9,505 M climbing
Week 1 – The team cycled through the fortified churches and farms surrounding Vervins including the historic town of Leon. They also ventured into Belgium and rode the famous cobblestones and iconic Roubaix.
Week 2- The team travelled to Spain and completed 480 KM of the Camino de Santiago. This was. a journey of 431.7 km, 21h 16m and 6,382 meters of climbing
2022 Gallery
TDC 2o22
in 2022 TDC travelled to :
- Vervins (FRE)
- Reims (FRE)
- Guise (FRE)
- Bruges (BEL)
- Chimay (BEL)
- Lake Como (Italy)
- Bormio (Italy)
Money Raised for Charity
$13,506 AUD for the Peter Mac foundation
2022 riders and fundraisers:
- Rick Morar (AU)
- Paul Anderson (AU)
- Patrick Quah (AU)
- Chris Roberts (AU)
- Carlo Nizeti (AU)
- Shad Mortazavi (AU)
- Omid Mortazavi (GB)
- Steve Rawnsley (AU)
Statistics
554 KM
6,228 M climbing
Week 1 – The team cycled through the fortified churches and farms surrounding Vervins including the historic town of Guise and Leon. They also ventured into Belgium via a scenic forest track to sample the local monastic beer. The team also had a ride and stay in Reims and went on a tour of Tattinger. On the day off day, the team visited the historic city of Bruges.
Week 2- The team travelled to Lake Como, in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region. During their stay in Lake Como, they climbed into Switzerland and cycled 125K/165K around Lake Como. The second part of the week the team cycled to Bormio and climbed the iconic Passo dello Stelvio at an elevation of 2,758m.
