It had long been an ambition of mine to ride my bike around Australia, and as my 70th birthday approached, I decided it was time to make that dream a reality. In late 2013, I set my sights on a route from the iconic Three Sisters in Katoomba to tropical Port Douglas in Far North Queensland, a journey of more than 3,000 kilometres.

My wife Jenny and I knew this would be a major undertaking, so we gathered a small but dedicated support team: our good friend Steve Grant and his friend Amy. Around the same time, my cousin Judith was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), and I knew instantly that this ride would be dedicated to her, to raise awareness and much-needed funds for those living with this cruel disease.

On 1 December 2013, we set off from Katoomba. The days that followed were filled with long stretches of highway, scorching heat, and the occasional downpour. But there were also moments of great kindness, people waving us down to donate, sharing stories, and offering encouragement.

I rode for 26 days in total, with short breaks in Grafton and Cardwell to rest and recover. We arrived in Cardwell late on Christmas Eve and shared a quiet, memorable Christmas together. Sadly, on Christmas night, my cousin Judith passed away. It gave the ride even deeper meaning, and every kilometre from then on felt like a tribute to her.

We reached Port Douglas on 30 December, greeted by warm smiles, ocean breezes, and a sense of deep gratitude. Thanks to the incredible support from MND NSW and the generosity of people along the way, we raised around $48,000 for MND research and support.

That ride was more than a milestone birthday, it was a reminder of how determination, love, and community can carry you further than you ever imagined.

Another ride was on the horizon, this time, one that would stretch from the west coast of Australia all the way to the east. As a proud member of the Rotary Club of Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise, I had the full support of my fellow Rotarians, including my trusted crew: Rotarian Peter Sheadhie and my wife Jenny.

On 7 September 2015, I set off from Perth, bound for Sydney, or more precisely, for home in Leura, in the Blue Mountains. The route would take us through Kalgoorlie, Norseman, and across the endless Nullarbor Plains, a journey of vast distances, open skies, and constant wind.

But not everything went smoothly. Before reaching the South Australian border, Jenny became seriously ill and had to be airlifted by the Royal Flying Doctor Service from Eucla back to Kalgoorlie Hospital. Thanks to their quick response, she made a full recovery. Meanwhile, Peter had driven ahead to Port Augusta, so it was arranged for Jenny and me to take the Indian Pacific from Kalgoorlie to Port Augusta. There, our daughter Allison met us and flew home with Jenny, ensuring she was safely back in Leura to recover.

Peter and I continued the journey through Quorn and Peterborough, battling strong headwinds that slowed every kilometre. From there, we pushed on to Broken Hill and finally arrived home in Leura on 13 October 2015, tired but deeply fulfilled.

The 3,900-kilometre ride raised around $55,000 for MND NSW. More than that, it was a journey of resilience, friendship, and community, proof once again that the road can bring out the best in people when the cause is close to the heart.

After my earlier rides for Motor Neurone Disease, I was approached by fellow Rotarian Bill Pixton, who suggested that my next journey could also raise funds and awareness for Huntington’s Disease, alongside MND. It was an idea that felt right, two causes, both deeply deserving of greater understanding and support.

Once again, plans began for another long ride. This time, my support crew would come from within my own Rotary Club: Bill Pixton and Michael Small. Bill had a long association with the Huntington’s charity, and Michael, a talented photographer, joined us to capture the spirit of the journey and share it online through Facebook and my website.

We left Darwin on 12 May 2017, with Bill as my support crew for the first leg of the ride to Broome. Those 15 days took us through some of Australia’s most breathtaking country, vast open roads, red earth, and glimpses of the sparkling Indian Ocean. After a short rest in Broome, we said farewell to Bill and welcomed Michael, who took over support duties and continued to document every moment of the ride south.

Throughout the journey, we visited local Rotary Clubs, sharing stories about both Motor Neurone and Huntington’s diseases, and spreading awareness wherever we could. The generosity of those we met, from small-town Rotarians to strangers on the roadside, was both humbling and inspiring.

The final stretch from Broome to Perth took 21 days, and I arrived in Perth on 20 June 2017, grateful, tired, and proud.

In total, we covered 4,200 kilometres and raised approximately $48,000 for the two charities. More than just a ride, it was a journey that united two causes, and countless people, in one shared purpose: to make a difference, one kilometre at a time.

Here we go again…

By 2018, I’d already covered most of the country on two wheels, but to truly complete my goal of riding around Australia, there was one final stretch to conquer, from Darwin to Port Douglas. Once again, the ride would raise funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease and Huntington’s Disease, two causes that remained close to my heart.

My support crew for this leg was my ever-reliable wife Jenny and our good friend Sally Harmon. These two wonderful women were the backbone of the trip, making sure I was up at 4:30 a.m. to begin riding before sunrise, stopping mid-morning to refuel, and finding roadhouses or campgrounds each afternoon where we could rest and recover.

The route took us from Darwin to Katherine, through Daly Waters, and along the Stuart Highway to Three Ways Roadhouse. As Jenny said at that point, it was time to “turn left” onto the Barkly Highway, heading east through Mount Isa, Charters Towers, and out to the coast at Townsville, before following the scenic road north through Cairns to the stunning final destination: Port Douglas.

We left Darwin on 21 July 2018 and arrived in Port Douglas on 13 August, with just one rest day at Three Ways. During that stop, we drove to Tennant Creek to meet with the Rotary District Governor, an inspiring encounter that gave us a glimpse into life and community in one of Australia’s most remote regions.

In total, the journey covered 2,900 kilometres and raised an incredible $100,000 for MND and HD.

It was a ride that combined endurance with joy, a celebration of community, compassion, and the simple determination to keep pedalling toward a purpose.

On 22 September 2019, my grandson Tom and I set off from Parramatta Park, the starting point for the annual Walk for Hope supporting Huntington’s Disease. Our goal was to ride all the way to Barwon Heads in Victoria, a journey of roughly 1,121 kilometres, to raise funds and awareness for this devastating illness.

The first leg took us through the Blue Mountains and Lithgow, before an incredible climb up through Yetholme to Bathurst. We faced strong headwinds that made progress slow and tiring, especially for Tom, who was just 12 years old. But with encouragement from his dad and remarkable grit for someone so young, he kept pushing on. Reaching Bathurst on only the second day felt like a major victory.

From there, we continued through Cowra, Cootamundra, Young, Junee, and Wagga Wagga, where we took a well-earned rest day. Then it was south through Albury-Wodonga, Yackandandah, Myrtleford, and Euroa, before facing the steep climbs of the Macedon Ranges. The hills were tough, but we tackled them together and made our way to Werribee.

The following day, we were welcomed at Kardinia Park in Geelong by a group of riders from Barwon Heads who joined us for the final stretch. Rolling into Barwon Heads was an unforgettable moment. Tom marked the end of the ride with pure joy, diving straight into the Barwon River for a well-deserved cool-off and a few days of rest with his family.

This 1,121-kilometre journey was about more than the distance travelled. It was a shared adventure between grandfather and grandson, a story of determination, connection, and hope in the fight against Huntington’s Disease. We raised an incredible $30,000 for HD.