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raised so far
of $20,000 goal
SYD to MLB by bike for Hannah and Batyr is fundraising for
In September 2022, our daughter, Hannah, took her own life. She was just 29 years old. She had battled with mental health issues for several years and was unable to get the help she desperately needed. We all know the important role exercise plays on not only our physical health but also our mental health. For The Herd is all about taking charge of your own health and wellbeing by completing a physical challenge or activity, while also raising funds and awareness for youth mental health. Myself and perhaps one or two others are planning to ride road bicycles from Sydney to Melbourne, starting on the Easter weekend. This is both to honour Hannah's memory and to raise awareness for the challenges of youth mental health and the problems many young people have in accessing adequate help. It was on my birthday in December last year when I first remember saying to a few other MAMIL's - "I've just had a great idea. Why don't we do a ride from Sydney to Melbourne?" I think they probably thought "There's Forbesy mouthing off about another bat-shit crazy idea..." But the idea wouldn't lie down. It kept niggling in the back of my mind like some warped version of Jiminy Cricket. Hell, I'm still young and strong enough to do this. Aren't I? I wanted to do something that would hopefully be inspirational. Perhaps not original - plenty have done this before me. The first woman to do it in 1894, Sarah Maddock, rode it in 9 days on bullock tracks, swamps and ploughed fields. One can only guess at the trusty steed she used... On my modern carbon machine with gears, derailieur and cleats, and on paved roads, it should be easy by comparison. But in this age of motorised transportation, the bicycle still evokes the spirit of early travel. A form of exploration at a pace that gives you time to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the landscape around you.
26 Mar 2024
(continued) from the day's ride. So I hope you'll forgive the lack of attire. I'm sure you'll agree it was in a very good cause.
you had to ride to the dam (or how precipitous the last kilometre down to the dam itself). As we freewheeled the last swooping switchback descents, I felt a bit like Mulga Bill. We had joked about going skinny dipping before leaving, but when we got to the picnic area there were cars everywhere...but not a single person around. So we thought - why not? Please excuse the nudity in the attached photo, but know that providing proof was essential to raise more than $1,000 in extra donations
This was my last weekend of training rides, so I had to make it count. On Saturday I rode from Bowral to Menangle, a round trip of 110km via Picton, Tahmoor, Bargo, Yanderra, and Yerrinbool on the Old Hume Highway. Then on Sunday I was challenged by some cycling mates (Ian Feary was the originator) to ride 130km to the Tallowa Dam in Kangaroo Valley and back, and go for a swim. We all knew it was a long way down Barrengarry Mountain from the Highlands, but none of us knew exactly how far... tbc
17 Mar 2024
Yesterday was a harder training session, a 128km ride from my home in Bowral down to Kiama via the Jamberoo Mountain Road, a quick cafe stop, and then the long slow ride back up the hill via Macquarie Pass. Along the way I got to see some beautiful sights - even caught a glimpse of a Lyrebird coming down Jamberoo Mountain.
07 Mar 2024
We have just received new donations that have taken us over the $10,000 mark! We never expected to be able to make such an impact and we want to thank everyone for their incredible generosity. These donations will make such a difference to many people's lives and we are very grateful for everyone's support.
20 Feb 2024
What I do know is that my legs and my backside will curse me, but my other senses will glory in the vistas I encounter as I travel slowly through an outback I have seldom had the chance to enjoy in such a leisurely way.
Sydney to Melbourne ride map
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