Road to Research

25/09/2025

🚴‍♂️✨ The Finish Line!! ✨🚴‍♀️
From Lourdes to London, mountain passes to cobblestone towns, laughter-filled mornings to rain-soaked kms, our journey on the Road to Research Ride is complete. What began as an idea to ride for T1D research, has become a road filled with courage, camaraderie, and countless memories.
But this ride wasn’t just about the kilometres! It was about hope. Every push of the pedal, every challenge overcome, every aching muscle was for those living with Type 1 Diabetes and the hope that with continued research, lives can be changed forever.

So to our incredible supporters, donors, and cheer squads (near and far) THANK YOU!! 💙 Your encouragement has carried us through every hill, every tired muscle, and every long stretch of road.
To our incredible Sponsors 🤩 Thank you, Thank you!
Your incredible generosity, support and time has kept us motivated and energised and we are overwhelmingly thankful for your kindness, without which we could not have achieved what has felt unachievable at times!
To Ford UK (and our “handler” Louise!) you deserve an enormous cheer for not only supplying the vehicles for this adventure, but know that without your generosity, overwhelming kindness and understanding, this event would have been exponentially more difficult, stressful and financially hard - so we say THANK YOU a million times! 🙏🙏🙏
To our “support crews” on the road, behind the scenes, the sounding-boards, chefs, general managers - thank you! They say it takes a tribe to raise a child, well it takes a wonderfully supportive, thoughtful and giving crew to see it through - pre, mid and post ride 🤩🫶🥰
And to the riders 🚴‍♂️ who showed up every day, carried on even when it was tough, you were tired, or it felt too much. Thank you for being there for each other, encouraging and supporting and motivating each other. Together we’ve proven that when community and determination meet, the impossible becomes possible 🫶 🚴‍♂️🥖🥐🍷🌽🤘

👉 AND it’s not too late to support the cause - donations are still open. See the 🔗 in bio 🤩

17/09/2025

The Road to Research Lourdes to Lords bike ride finished yesterday when our 4 riders rode into Lords Cricket Ground with smiles on their faces. For the four families of Road to Research, this year has been devoted to the project - securing sponsorship, fundraising, planning and organising. There were no doubt times where each of us wondered would we make it, but our united hope of a future without type 1 diabetes has kept us all pushing forward.

After over 1000km in the saddle our riders are no doubt happy to take a break from the bike - but the work doesn’t stop here… we will not rest until we find a cure for type 1.

Thank you to all those who have supported us - we fronted it, you supported it and that’s why it succeeded 💙

For anyone still wanting to donate, here’s the link

Mark is fundraising with to support the 130,000 Australians living with type 1 diabetes. Please sponsor Mark to turn type one into type none! Type 1 diabetes can strike anyone at any time, and 8 Australians are diagnosed every day. Diagnosis means a 24/7 fight with no break and facing....

17/09/2025

17/09/2025

Allora locals Mark Mason and James Turner call themselves “ordinary dads”… but cycling 1200km from Lourdes in France to Lord’s Cricket Ground in London is anything but ordinary 🚴‍♂️💙

The Road to Research team – made up of 8 friends, with 3 incredible teens who live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) – are taking on this epic journey to raise $100,000 for vital T1D research. They’re fuelled by their dream of a world where type 1 becomes type none.

Hear their inspiring and touching stories in their own words, and support the team via the link in the comments 👇

📹 Keyy Productions

11/09/2025

🚴‍♂️✨ The final day of riding in France . The last push. Today our riders rolled towards the breathtaking Mont-Saint-Michel - a monumental place and the perfect backdrop to end a journey that has been nothing short of extraordinary.

From Lourdes to here we’ve cycled through mountains, coastlines, quiet villages and bustling towns, vineyards and farming paddocks. From the Pyrenees to the Coast we’ve battled the elements, sore bodies and long long days in the saddle - but we’ve also shared countless laughs and stories, unforgettable moments as a team, and the “highs and lows” of T1D.

Every kilometre has been for something bigger than us - raising awareness and vital funds for T1D research and carrying with us the hope that one day, no other family will have to face this disease 💙

Reaching Mont-Saint-Michel isn’t just a finish line. It’s a symbol of perseverance, community, and belief in a brighter future.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s cheered us on, donated, and supported this ride. We couldn’t have done it without you 🙏

And a super shout-out goes to Josh from King River, not only for your sponsorship and support but also for joining us for the last two days of riding!! We hope you enjoyed the experience 🚴‍♂️🇫🇷

Here’s to the road behind us, the trip up to London and the hope that lies ahead. 🌊🏰💙

08/09/2025

Not a bad spot to sit and wait for the riders to finish their 110km ride today.

07/09/2025

🇫🇷🚴‍♀️✨ Ride highlights from the road! 💙

From sweeping countryside to vineyard and unforgettable moments with the team, every kilometre is one step closer to a world without Type 1 Diabetes. The Road to Research riders are motivated, incredibly moved and so very grateful to be a part of this experience 🇫🇷🚴‍♂️

Not without its challenges - tired legs, sore feet, bike malfunction - the Road to Research team are still smiling and with full hearts (and some Handy Cam “Magnificence”) are forging north through France!
The scenery changes each day, from farmland to wine country, some coastal breezes and gorgeously quaint towns - every honk, wave, curious stare and “Allez, allez!” along the way keep us rolling!

Here are just a few happy snaps from the last few days!
Proof we survived: bugs in our teeth, sun on our backs, and a suspicious number of bakery stops 🥐🚲 and all for the Road to Research - Lourdes to Lords - Ride where every kilometre is worth it 💙🤩

Our donation count continues to tick over with a massive shout out to all of our supporters and donations. Your generosity and kindness is just incredible 🙏

Let’s keep the wheels turning — together we ride, together we make a difference.

If you can spare a few dollars, hit the link in our bio 🔗
Or head to our Bluearmy page
https://bluearmy.breakthrought1d.org.au/fundraisers/markmason/road-to-research

Thanks a million 💙

04/09/2025

We are 3 days into the Road to Research Ride. Our riders are doing an amazing job and are really finding their rhythm and enjoying the stunning countryside they are riding through. As for the support crew we wait patiently at each stop and breathe a collective sigh of relief when we see each rider ride into view.

Thank you to all those who have donated and helped us get 3/4 of the way to our target. Every donation counts and helps get us closer to a cure.

https://bluearmy.breakthrought1d.org.au/fundraisers/markmason/road-to-research

01/09/2025

🚴‍♀️ Day One Highlights! 🚴‍♂️
What an incredible start to the Road to Research ride — full of energy, determination, and purpose. From the first pedal stroke to today’s finish line, every mile brings us closer to breakthroughs in T1D research.

💙 Thank you to everyone riding, cheering, and supporting along the way. This journey is only just beginning, and we’re so proud to kick it off with such momentum!

31/08/2025

🌟 The countdown is nearly over.

In just days, wheels will roll, and the Road to Research ride will begin. These moments before the start are filled with anticipation, excitement, and a touch of nerves… but also with deep purpose.

Every rider has trained, prepared and committed themselves not just to the journey ahead, but to the cause that drives it. The days leading up to the start are about reflection, gratitude, and strength - knowing that every kilometre ahead will make a difference.

As the starting line draws near, let’s hold onto the energy of possibility.

This ride is more than a challenge - it’s a statement of hope, resilience, and unity. 🚴‍♂️💙

Good Luck, safe travels and a huge thanks to all those involved, and to all those who continue to support us in making this journey so successful!

26/08/2025