Welcome to Issue #5 - January 2026

I hope that everyone had an opportunity to see family and friends over the holidays and break some of the routines and madness that we all get caught in up to the Christmas break.

Our team is beavering away, in that rushing current of event planning, and processing as much as possible to be ready to log you all in on time for event starts.

It won’t be long now until those well trained and prepared Melbourne riders stand at the start line for the first challenge of the year, a much repeated venture from capital city to capital city to celebrate the 20^th Chain Reaction Melbourne ride. Congratulations to Brenton Jones and the commitment that people have made to the training rides. The What’s App banter abounds.

Welcome too to some past riders - the rumour mill has long term director and previous CEO John Ward on the bookings for a ride this year. Welcome back Chair and founder Berrick Wilson with the Qualitas team and everyone will be on their best performance toes knowing that our new director Simon Gerrans will be starting out with us.

And – after many years - we see the welcome return of Emma Carney - first coach, author, athlete, two-time World Triathlon Champion, inductee into the World Triathlon Hall of Fame and a formidable companion on the bike.

To all our participants, sponsors, supporters - thank you for placing your confidence in us again as we pave our way on the road to a significant milestone in 2026 and the sign of many successful events to come.

Michael Byrom,

CEO, Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation

UPCOMING EVENTS

COMMUNITY NEWS

Thank you for riding for families like ours

From Nash & Orlando

To our Brisbane Chain Reaction riders - thank you.

By choosing to ride and fundraise for AEIOU Foundation you’ve made a difference that reaches far beyond the kilometres you ride. For families like mine, your support is life-changing.

My son Orlando was diagnosed with autism (ASD Level 3) when he was three. He was non-verbal, had significant developmental delays, and struggled with daily routines. AEIOU gave us guidance, therapies, and hope during those early years, helping Orlando grow and transition to a special school. They were our lifeline.

Our family was then faced another challenge when my wife Aileen was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer. Under the care of Dr Keith Horwood and the team at Icon Cancer Centre, she received world-class, compassionate treatment and access to clinical trials that gave us precious extra time together. Their support carried us through the hardest chapter of our lives.

Today, Orlando continues his journey with courage, and Aileen’s strength continues to inspire us.

Your fundraising ensures families like mine receive the support, care, and hope they desperately need.

For Orlando’s Full Story - Click Here

As we look ahead, we hope to help even more kids and their families through our charity partners across Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales - and it’s riders like you who make that possible

Thank you for riding with purpose.

Have a story or community update you’d like to share in our monthly updates? We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Leeanne at [email protected].

RIDER PROFILE

Rider Profile: Phil Tanner #91

Phil’s Chain Reaction journey began in 2011, when Berrick invited him, Mark Ryan and Dave (Diesel) White to join the Victorian Challenge from Sydney to Melbourne - a “let’s just see how this goes” reconnaissance mission for what would become the Sydney chapter a year later. It was tough, memorable, and the kind of experience that quietly hooks you for life.

The characters from that era have definitely aged a little since… Phil, of course, has not, with next year marking a milestone, his 15th Chain Reaction Challenge.

Three things about Phil:

• He once claimed he wasn’t built for climbing - the mountains strongly agreed.

• He’s happiest when he’s in the thick of something bigger than himself: a big sea, a tough climb, a big cycling week, or supporting someone to push past what they think is their limit.

• He’s completed enough CR Challenge weeks to know that the suffering is temporary, but the stories and mate ship last forever.

Outside the ride:

We threw a few fun questions his way, and here’s what he said:

The soundtrack in my head right now is:

In the Ghetto - The King (seems to sum up the World about now)

If I could swap lives with anyone for a day, it would be:

Matt Allen mid-ocean on Comanche, or Tom Pidcock descending the Rossfeld Panoramastrasse - just to see what “fast” really feels like.

A favourite quote:

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that an airplane takes off against the wind, not with it - Henry Ford.

The best advice I’ve been given (from my Grandad):

If you’re going through Hell - Keep Going - attributed to Winston Churchill.

I’m most likely to win an award for:

Being impeccably politically correct...

One thing I’d pack if stranded on a desert island:

A multi-tool. One tool, endless optimism.

The climb that lives rent-free in my head is:

Well actually, it was the decent…. from the Col de la Bonette (el. 2,715 metres) a high mountain pass in the French Alps, near the border with Italy on 21 June 2012. It was wicked 😊

Phil keeps coming back because Chain Reaction is more than a ride. It’s a community that turns tough moments into shared stories, and shared stories into real impact for kids who need it most.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Team CityCircle/ Slattery - A Family Legacy Riding
for a Brighter Future

Some partnerships begin with curiosity. Others with a conversation. But for Team CityCircle/Slattery, their journey with Chain Reaction began with something even more powerful: family.

When Andrew Staedler first invited City Circle to join the Tasmania ride, no one could have predicted just how deeply the experience would connect with the Skidmore family, their business, and what would later become a united team alongside Slattery.

It wasn’t until founder Peter Skidmore toured the Monash Hospital and the Starlight rooms that everything changed.

“That was when it all clicked for us,” team captain Matt Skidmore says.
Seeing firsthand what Chain Reaction riders pedal for turned involvement into dedication - and dedication into legacy.

A Family That Rides for Purpose

Peter was the first to take on the challenge, completing his first ride in his late 60s.

That spark passed on to Matt, who has now completed 6 Chain Reaction events and has become the driving force behind the team’s involvement.

And now, joined by their long-time friends and partners at Slattery, the team has grown into a powerful combined force - a shared culture, shared values, and shared commitment under one banner: Team CityCircle/Slattery.

Behind every Skidmore on the bike is a committed team off it. Most notably Debbie, who leads the fundraising efforts with passion and precision. The broader City Circle family, along with the extended Slattery team, rallies behind the cause with the same conviction.

“It’s youth that drives us,” Matt shares. “Seeing the impact on children and families makes every kilometre worth it.

Moments That Stay With You

Ask Matt for a standout moment and he doesn’t hesitate. “Climbing The Remarkables after 1,000 km in New Zealand. The emotional release, the physical punishment… it was incredibly special.”

It was one of those days where exhaustion meets purpose - where the finish line becomes a reminder of why the tough moments matter. For Matt and the wider CityCircle/Slattery team, it’s a memory etched into their Chain Reaction journey

A Partnership That Reflects Their Shared Values

City Circle is a proudly Victorian company, deeply connected to the community it serves. Slattery, equally committed to social impact and community leadership, amplifies that shared purpose.

“We’re proud to associate with Chain Reaction, Monash and Starlight,” Matt says.

“Melbourne is the city it is because of organisations like these. Giving back to the community that supports us is something we believe in strongly.”

And beyond the impact on families and kids, the personal growth riders experience through Chain Reaction aligns with the team’s belief in health, achievement, and resilience.

“Chain Reaction gives people the chance to achieve something meaningful - something bigger than themselves,” Matt adds.

Stories That Inspire Commitment

Like many riders, Matt was moved early on by Berrick Wilson’s story, the emotional heart behind the event. Over the years, hearing from riders like Nick Gills and Evan Miller deepened his understanding of the why behind every push on the pedals.

“To hear those stories, then see how they resonate with your own situation… that’s what keeps you coming back,” he shares.

Team Culture: The Green Machine

Inside the peloton, Team CityCircle/Slattery is known simply as The Green Machine - and Matt wouldn’t have it any other way.

They may not have in-bike singers on call, but Adam Van Stockram brings the energy and keeps spirits high.

Best Dressed in Lycra? According to Matt, that title goes to Kamil - “the man with the whitest teeth in the peloton.”

And when asked about their secret weapon, Matt doesn’t overthink it: “Camaraderie. We have a group of enduring friendships and many repeat riders.”

It’s that team-first mindset, the shared history, the humour, the bond - accelerated by the combined strength of City Circle and Slattery - that fuels their success both on the road and back home.

A Legacy That Keeps Growing

Team CityCircle/Slattery’s Chain Reaction story, shared through Matt Skidmore’s journey, is a testament to family legacy, community pride, and the impact of riding for something bigger than yourself.

From Peter’s first ride at 60+, to Matt’s 6 challenges and counting, to Debbie and the team behind the scenes - and the powerful partnership with Slattery - their involvement is a reminder of how generosity becomes tradition, and how tradition becomes change. 

MECHANICAL TIPS

As we settle into a new year of riding, now’s the perfect time to give your bike a little extra love. Keeping your equipment tuned, safe, and performing at its best will set you up for stronger training blocks and smoother days out on the road. Here are a few tips to add to the bunch.

Keep Your Drivetrain Quiet

If your bike suddenly starts making noise - squeaks, ticks, or grinding - don’t ignore it. Most sounds come from the drivetrain: a dry chain, dirty pulleys, or a loose bolt. A quiet bike is a healthy bike.

A quick wipe and re-lube after a dusty or wet ride keeps things smooth and reduces long-term wear.

Quick Pre-Ride Safety Check 

Before every ride, take 20 seconds to run through a simple safety check:

• Test your brakes - both levers should feel firm and responsive.

• Check your bars and stem - hold the front wheel and try to twist the bars; nothing should move.

• Squeeze your tyres - they should feel firm, not soft.

• Spin your wheels - make sure they turn freely without wobbling or rubbing.

This small routine catches issues early and ensures you roll out safely every time.

Contact Points: Saddle, Helmet & Sunnies

Your contact points directly affect comfort and safety.

•  Check your saddle position - height and tilt should be consistent; a few millimetres off can cause discomfort, knee pain, or fatigue on long rides.

• Clean your helmet - sweat and grime build up inside the pads and vents; a quick rinse keeps it fresh and comfortable.

• Clean your sunnies - clear lenses improve visibility and reduce eye strain, especially on long days.

Small habits here make a big difference to your comfort and confidence on the bike.

COACHES CORNER

Welcome back team - 2026 has officially begun! I hope you managed to get some good riding in over the break, and even if you indulged a little (as we all do), now’s the perfect time to change those gears and build your fitness back up.

Let’s reset, refocus, and get the legs turning.

Here are a few simple tips to help you get back on track:

Rejoining bunch rides:

• Although some riders may have been riding in groups over the break, others may have gone solo and be needing more time to re-gain their bunch skills.

• On your first rides back together, be mindful of the wheels you follow and display the correct bunch etiquette such as signs, signals and plenty of communication. 

• Allow a little more room to the wheel in front of you and try to focus on good brake control, good vision and smooth, efficient gear changes to make the ride safer for everyone.

Focus on the off-bike marginal gains:

• Whilst pedalling makes you go faster, focusing on the things you do when you’re not pedalling can help to increase your performance even more.

• This includes improving sleep quality and duration (7-9hrs per night), using foam rollers or massage treatment to release tight spots and stretching to help repair those muscles.

• Quality nutrition and hydration is priority too, so aim to fuel your body correctly before, during and after your training with quality carbs, protein sources.

Set some goals or mini-challenges:

• This will help to keep yourself on track with whatever your goal and for those taking on the 7 day Challenges.

• A simple goal could be to ride 5 or 6 days in one week or improve your average speed on a longer undulating ride from 26km/hr to 28km/hr average.

• Challenges can be as simple as riding over 400km+ in one week or climbing more than 3000m elevation in one week.

Consistency is key:

• Just remember, consistency is key, so aim to ride as many days in the week as you can with only one or two rest days.

• Plan ahead for your week and pencil time in your calendar to complete your riding. Set those alarms and make your training count.

Looking forward to seeing you all back out on the road.

Cheers, BJ.