A remarkable fundraising journey that passed through Bourke has ended in heartbreak, with 82-year-old cyclist Bob Montgomery dying shortly after completing his epic ride across Australia and continuing on to Sydney.
Bob and his 18-year-old grandson, Tom Malcolm, reached Bowral on Sunday after cycling approximately 5,290 kilometres from Broome in support of people affected by motor neurone disease.
The pair spent around six weeks on the road, crossing some of Australia’s harshest and most isolated country while battling persistent headwinds, extreme temperatures, mechanical problems and long stretches of remote highway.
After arriving in Bowral, it is understood Bob and Tom continued riding to Sydney, where they attended a homecoming celebration at Club Rose Bay on Monday afternoon.
Bob was reportedly in high spirits at the gathering, surrounded by family, friends and supporters celebrating the pair’s extraordinary achievement.
It is believed Bob later suffered a medical episode while travelling home with his wife, Jenny. He was taken to St George Hospital, where he passed away.
His family expressed their gratitude to the NSW Ambulance Service, police and hospital staff for the kindness and assistance they provided.
Bob is survived by Jenny, their three daughters Alison, Lee and Annie, and 11 grandchildren.
Federal Member for Whitlam Carol Berry, who welcomed Bob and Tom into Bowral, described him as a hero, a gentleman and a truly generous and inspiring man.
“He will be greatly missed by his wife, his grandson Tom and his whole family, the Bowral community and by the thousands of people whose lives he touched,” Ms Berry said.
Bob and Tom’s journey passed through Bourke during its final stages, with the pair staying overnight before continuing south towards Nyngan.
During a stop at the Mulga Creek Hotel in Byrock, Bob spoke with Rod Corfe on Outback Mornings about the physical and mental demands of the ride.
“We’ve been averaging about 130 or 140 kilometres a day, which is quite hard in itself,” Bob said.
“Every day you wake up to another howling wind in your face, it becomes very hard.”
Despite the difficult conditions, Bob said the determination shown by people living with MND encouraged the pair to continue.
“One of the mottos with MND is ‘never give up’, and this ride’s a bit like that,” he said.
“You just keep plugging along and every day brings a different story.”
Bob’s commitment to MND fundraising began after watching a cousin’s health deteriorate following a diagnosis with the disease.
“One Last Ride” was his sixth major long-distance charity journey and his fifth supporting the fight against MND.
The campaign had raised more than $86,000 by the completion of the ride, with donations continuing following news of Bob’s death.
Throughout the journey, Bob spoke warmly about sharing the experience with Tom and the lessons his grandson was learning along the way.
“We have our days, of course. Anyone does when they’re tired and cranky, but we’re great mates,” Bob told 2WEB.
Bob’s wife Jenny had named the challenge “One Last Ride”, gently suggesting it should be his final major long-distance cycling fundraiser.
In the cruellest of circumstances, it became exactly that — but not before Bob completed an extraordinary journey, continued on to Sydney with his grandson and celebrated the achievement surrounded by those closest to him.
His final ride leaves a lasting legacy of courage, compassion and determination, undertaken for people living with MND and those who could no longer ride themselves.
This article includes material from an interview broadcast on Outback Mornings with Rod Corfe on Outback Radio 2WEB.