Local resident Brendon Stoner has set the wheels in motion, challenging his own physical and mental strengths, and those of others, in an epic journey.
The Telegraph Point air conditioning specialist has banded together with his sister, Kate Stoner, to help raise awareness about depression.
And it’s no small feat.
The pair flew to Port Fremantle in Western Australia on Saturday, April 2 to begin a mammoth journey, pushbike riding to Port Macquarie, some 4100km away, to raise awareness for Beyondblue.
Beyondblue (www.beyondblue.org.au) is a not-for-profit organisation addressing depression, anxiety and related disorders in Australia.
This week alone the duo will ride from Fremantle to Norseman — a total of 738km — just the tip of the iceberg in a six-week journey, averaging 113km a day and a total distance of 4100km.
But it’s not the first time Brendon has pushed the boundaries in adventure seeking, he said, in fact it’s literally a way of life.
“Always having a sense of adventure, my now wife, Melanie, and I set off around Australia in 2001. We had no idea where we were going or for how long we would be gone,” he said.
“Then in our seventh year away whilst living in Tasmania, I started thinking how great it would be to cross the country on a push bike.
“I think I was originally inspired by a lady at Norseman Caravan Park, she was raising money for kidney disease which she had recently lost her dad to.
“She sold her house and was travelling on her bike raising money and awareness, she had been travelling for around six months by the time I met her.
“I thought to myself, ‘this is unbelievable’.
“I was also enthused by the amount of cyclists we had overtaken in our ‘Troopy’ on some of Australia’s most remote roads and I was in awe of them and their motivation.”
All this combined made Brendon think it was possible to cross the country on his bike.
“All I needed to do was settle back home in NSW buy a pushie and plan a trip,” he said.
Brendon and his wife settled not far from Port Macquarie in 2009, with the thought of riding from Port Fremantle WA to Port Macquarie firmly stuck in his mind.
“A couple of people I spoke to about my plan thought it was a bit outrageous and they are probably right,” Brendon said.
“Other people have told me that, if you are going to do something like that, then do it for a good reason as well as for yourself.
“I thought about all the places that we had lived and all the people we had met along the way. I came to realise the enormity of mental disease and the effect it can have on your life and those around you.
“Therefore I would like to dedicate my trip to raising awareness for mental health and hope that you take a minute to look at Beyondblue and the various sites that are available online.”
Kate, from the Pittwater area in Sydney, who is riding alongside her brother, said the majority of overnight stops will be on the side of the road, camping in one-man tents.
“The aim is to complete the ride within 36 riding days, at an average of 113kms per day. We will have a rest day every seventh day,” Kate said.
“If all goes to plan, we are likely to roll into Port Macquarie on Saturday, May 14.
“Due to the high risk nature of our challenge, we are unable to officially raise money for Beyondblue, a national depression initiative, but ask that you take the time to check their website www.beyondblue.org.au and consider making a donation.
“If you are in the Port Macquarie area on Saturday, May 14, please join us to celebrate the end of our adventure. Keep an eye on this website for further developments.”
Brendon and Kate thanked friends and family, sponsors and everyone who played a part in the planning and fruition of their ride.
You can track Brendon and Kate’s adventure through their website www.portchallenge.com
