Monthly Archives: April 2017

Bilby Goes for a Drive

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Bob Montgomery and Bill Pixton on the road

Bob Montgomery and Bill Pixton on the previous Perth to Sydney ride

We moved to the Blue Mountains only two years ago. Previously we had been in Brisbane for 8 years and before that in Sydney.

I first met Bob Montgomery a bit after that when he came to one of our Rotary meetings. He was thinking about his Perth to Sydney ride which was commencing in September 2015. Our Club got right behind him, and I personally got very involved with Bob and Jenny and all the activities associated with that ride. Moreover I was attracted to Bob’s motivation, determination and enthusiasm for this ride and raising money for Motor Neurone Disease(MND). Bob has had experience with MND in his family and with other friends.

It is fair to say we became good friends.

This time though I will be in the field with Bob, going all the way from Darwin to Perth. Doing all sorts of things, promoting, organising the Rotary connections, taking photos and driving. You will see the little “Bilby” signature on many of them. Bob is of course doing the hard yards on the bike and at 73 yo remains an inspiration to our team, family and friends and to the wider community.

 

What else that has changed is that this time we are raising money jointly, and equally, for MND and Huntingtons Disease (HD). For those who don’t know I have a very much loved, adult daughter with HD. She was diagnosed about three years ago and has to deal with this every day of her life. She has already lost an aunt and has two uncles in advanced care. There maybe others in the extended family that also have HD but they have chosen not to be tested at this time. I have also got involved with Huntingtons NSW and know of the wonderful work they do to support those with HD and their families. All money raised goes direct to the two organisations and they distribute the funds to support their particular programs.

So it is fair to say both Bob and I have a personal commitment to this ride. We have “skin in the game” as they say. I am also very appreciative of Bob’s generosity by including HD in this fundraiser. The two diseases are similar in that they both neurologically based, both fatal and despite extensive global research there is no cure at this time. They have about the same prevalence rates. HD though is genetic in that the gene is passed on by the parents with the offspring having a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease.

Now about that Bilby. My grandchildren call me Bilby and my bushwalking mates call me Bilby. Never sure why. Timid, cautious and endangered really don’t fit but the name stuck. I’m still a youngster compared to Bob and will turn 70 on the ride. I do a lot of community work with Rotary and am a board member with a not for profit organisation called Mountain Youth Services Team (MYST). A keen bushwalker, who enjoy outdoor adventures and an aspiring photographer with  a lot to learn. You will find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Am I Ready for this Ride?

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The time is fast approaching for me to leave on my third solo endurance ride in 3 years – the previous two being Katoomba (Blue Mountains) to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland a distance of 3,100kms then Perth to Leura (Blue Mountains) a distance of 4,200 kms. Now we are getting ready to leave Darwin on Monday 15 May on a journey of 4,200 kms to Perth. The amount of organising for these rides is enormous – from the mobile home to social media to all the small stops for fuel etc etc etc. Because of the vast distances we need to plan food, water and fuel very carefully as it is not easy to find these essentials on the way. Communication is also vital and we need a satellite phone to ensure we can always communicate effectively wherever we are.

Bob Bike Photos Wentworth Falls 6

Lookout over the Jamison Valley

As well as all of the above I have had to do the necessary training for such a journey. I started my serious training in January and since then I have been doing 300k per week, building up to the end of March. I am now doing 500k per week with rides to Jenolan Caves, Lithgow and Windsor. Also I have travelled north and ridden around Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and Bonville. In Sydney I have been training in Centennial Park and my old stomping ground Oatley Park where I used to race for St. George Cycling Club many years ago.

Bob Bike Photos Wentworth Falls 21

Training around the streets of Wentworth Falls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next two week will see me doing 500k per week then I will ease back to 200k per week until we leave Leura on Thursday 11 May for what will be the toughest ride so far. People often ask me how and why I do such rides the immediate answer I give is ‘I can’ and I get amazing satisfaction raising funds for these two dreadful diseases MND and HD. Judith O’Brien (my cousin) passed away 2 years ago from MND and she was so brave and strong right to the end – her beautiful love for her family gave her the strength to carry on. Knowing there is no cure and knowing the pain sufferers go through helps me when I am going through tough times on my ride.

 

 

Mark MND -Sawtell

Mark and Bob at Sawtell Golf Course

 

 

 

A mate of mine from Leura Golf Club, Mal Grant, contracted MND 2 1/2 years ago and with his wife Eileen moved from Hornsby to Sawtell when he was diagnosed. They had no idea what MND was and like HD it is a death sentence. Mal has lived 6 months longer than expected and he is just so positive – once again like Judith – just so brave. Eileen and Mal have 20 grandchildren between them. Mal was a fine sportsman playing off a 4 handicap in golf and a State tennis player.

These people and all other sufferers of Huntington’s and Motor Neurone Disease are my motivation. When I am riding through mountain ranges and heat and rain suffering my own pain – this pain goes out the door when I think of these people and their families.