The Captains’ Ride is a high-end cycling tour that will change your life

The Captain’s Ride is an exclusive 6-day on-road cycle Tour and Leadership Program that is the cornerstone of the Steve Waugh Foundation’s annual fundraising campaign.

Note: The 2020 version of this event was cancelled and the event managers have indicated that the event will go ahead in 2021. With all things being equal, the ride should be through the same region, around the town of Toowoomba, Qld. The details are subject to change by the event organisers, so please check in with them. 

2020 is the sixth year of The Captain’s Ride and will be in Queensland,  with riders bumping in the day before and after. Each year this ride is held in a different location. The Steve Waugh Foundation is a small Australian family-based charity and the only standalone Foundation of its kind in Australia that supports children and young adults with rare diseases (0-25 years).

This is a high-end ride where you need to submit an application form and then commit to fundraising at least $10,000. The ride is marketed as being exclusive as it is capped at 70 riders, which includes Steve Waugh’s Ride Ambassador Team of that year. These are high profile individuals & sporting icons who are part of the Leadership element and inspire the Team whilst on tour. At the core of The Captain’s Ride is the Leadership Program for Captains of Industry, immerging leaders, and those that want to be Captains of their own life.

Applications are accepted based on a commitment to the criteria, with the key ones being registration ($2,500), fundraising (10K+ per rider), being fit enough to complete the ride, and having a roadworthy bike. It is then a case of ‘first in best dressed’ and a waiting list. A couple of riders usually pull out each year due to unexpected family & work commitments, which then opens opportunities to those on the waiting list.

The Steve Waugh Foundation will also support you to ensure you reach your fundraising goal as well as provide you with a training program so that you are fit enough for the ride.

The Captain’s Ride is about people from all walks of life leading, inspiring, supporting and guiding others. The culture of the Team and experience is personally important to Steve Waugh and everyone on Tour to get the most out of it. During the week, over 100 people from varying backgrounds are brought together for a week. This ride is much more than just a ride. It’s a life-changing experience.

Each evening during the ride, Steve Waugh shares stories of the Foundation and the children it supports and specially invited VIP’s, champions and celebrity guests will share their personal experiences, which provides the leadership experience and motivation riders need to make the distance each day. The evening program is a highlight throughout the ride.

One of the key objectives of the ride is to foster a sense of camaraderie and teamwork amongst the riders, provide a challenge that tests riders both mentally and physically, and to create an experience that provides lifelong memories and connections.

This ride is about teamwork, camaraderie, mateship and ‘strength of character’. It’s at the core of the Steve Waugh Foundation, from the people we support, to the people who support us.

You’ll find other cycling events, like the Captains Ride, in our online Cycling Event Calendar.

Enjoy!