⚡️ Edition 8 | Sydney to Melbourne

Last week, myself and my great mates Byron & Jake embarked on one of the most challenging and rewarding adventures of our life: a 1,000km ride from Sydney to Melbourne in support of TriMob, an 100% First Nations Led Nonprofit dedicated to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to improve their health and wellbeing through the sports of swim, bike and run.

This was set to become one of the biggest endurance challenges I have ever taken on, and that’s aside from the fundraising campaign, the cultural learning elements, the logistical overhead, and the film-making! In the end, we managed 850km of the rawest and most demanding cycling that any of us have experienced. Whilst uncontrollable variables such as mechanicals and weather events would hamper our efforts, I’m so proud of the resilience and resolve shown by the team to just keep going!

Here’s the story of our journey.

Day 1: The Adventure Begins

We set out from Sydney early accompanied by a support crew of 10, with great anticipation for the challenge ahead. The day started beautifully as we crossed from Dharug to Dharawal Country, descending Bulli Pass and soaking in breathtaking views. But Bulli Pass was also where we faced our first major setback: Jake’s carbon wheels warped under heavy braking. Thankfully, the incredible team at Trek Bikes Wollongong came to our rescue, providing Jake with a brand-new Trek Madone Di2 Ultegra 12-speed (on loan), free of charge.

With Jake back in action, we took on the most stunning climb of the trip: Macquarie Pass, a 15km ascent with an average gradient of 8%. It was gruelling, but we were buoyed on by local supporters like Carsten Prien (whose son Max ascended with us), who met us with cold drinks and encouragement at the summit. As the day progressed, a gravel detour and lost time from the mechanical meant we had to push hard to make it to our first stop, Gunning. But the sunset over Gundungurra Country transformed the gravel roads into something very beautiful, ending our 300km day on a high note.

Day 2: Heat, Gravel, and Grit

The fatigue from Day 1 hit hard. We rolled out of Gunning later than planned, only to be met with issues plotting our route. Google Maps, while helpful in showing alternatives, couldn’t distinguish between sealed and unsealed roads. This led us onto gravel again, costing us precious time. By the time we reached Yass, we were already behind schedule, but we pushed on.

Eventually, we rejoined the Hume Highway, a busy and dangerous stretch that none of us enjoyed. To make matters worse, my rear wheel sustained a significant mechanical issue thanks to shrapnel on the Hume. But with some haphazard roadside ingenuity, we managed to get rolling again. Leaving the Hume, we climbed into the stunning but sweltering hills of Ngunnawal Country, facing temperatures upwards of 35°C.

After 210km, the heat became unbearable. For our safety, we decided to stop in Wagga Wagga instead of continuing to the original planned destination. Day 2 ended at 250km with salt-crusted kits and dehydrated rigs, but we were determined to keep moving forward the next day.

Day 3: Back with a Vengeance

Wagga Wagga gave us the rest we desperately needed. Rolling out the next morning, we knew we had to cover serious ground—at least 350km—to position ourselves for a short ride into Melbourne on Day 4. Fuelled by fresh determination, we rode 130km non-stop to Albury-Wodonga by mid-morning. The pace was fast, and spirits were high as we powered through small towns like Chiltern and Wangaratta on back roads. This stretch in particular was wildly beautiful, and conveniently flat for what became a punchy ride, with an average pace of 28kmph.

By the 300km mark, we found ourselves back on the Hume Highway for an unplanned 60km stretch. It wasn’t ideal, but we regrouped for a final push, aiming to finish strong. Then came the storm. Just 5km into our final shift, thunder and lightning rolled in, bringing torrential rain and hail. Roads flooded quickly, and Byron’s flat tyre left us stranded. In desperate need of shelter, I ran to a nearby veterinary clinic, where we were graciously allowed to wait out the storm in their barn. As the rain continued and the sun went down, we had to accept that our ride had come to an end.

Though we didn’t reach our intended distance, the storm gave us a new perspective. Huddled together, drenched but safe, we laughed at the absurdity of the situation. We’d achieved something extraordinary, even if the ride hadn’t gone exactly to plan.

Looking Ahead

I’m thrilled to share that we’ve already raised nearly $5,000 for TriMob through this initiative. But the journey isn’t over yet. Over the couple of weeks, I’ll be working on a short film documenting our ride, which will premiere on Monday, December 16th here in Sydney. This’ll take place at the Canva Space in Surry Hills and all proceeds from the event will go to TriMob! You can RSVP here.

If you’d like to attend the premiere, have questions about the ride, or want to support the fundraiser, I’d love to hear from you. Reply to this email—I’d be so grateful for your support.

This ride was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the most fulfilling. It reminded me of the power of mateship, resilience, and purpose. Thank you to everyone who supported us along the way—this was a team effort in every sense of the word!