By the end of day two, Michael Matheson-Deng and Bryce Taylor had covered 170.6 kilometres and reached Quairading, east of Perth. They had the Nullarbor ahead of them and a December finish in Canberra to ride towards.
The pair set off from Perth on 1 November for Ride for the Ruff Days, a 40-day cycling challenge raising money for Lifeline Canberra and Dogs Canberra. They’re aiming for roughly 100 kilometres a day on a route that takes them through Esperance, across the Nullarbor and on through Adelaide and Melbourne.
Bryce rides regularly. Michael rides less often. Training for the trip meant learning how to share a bike as well as building up the kilometres.
“Changing gears, going around bends and things like that all require communication,” Bryce told Region Canberra before they left.
Both riders are part of Dogs Canberra, which helps people spend time with dogs through its community walking program and supports vulnerable dogs through fostering and training. Funds raised on the ride will be split equally between the charity and Lifeline Canberra, which provides crisis support and suicide prevention services. The riders also want the trip to start conversations about mental health and asking for help when you’re having a hard time.
Ride with them on the way home
The 40-day challenge is due to wrap up on 10 December near Jindabyne, depending on the final route. From 11-13 December, local riders are invited to join the team for the final stretch into Canberra. Dogs Canberra will share the route and registration details closer to December. In the meantime, you can follow their progress as they cross the country.
