Dan’s Final Reflections
For the last four and a half years, I have wrestled with an appropriate way to honour the life of my brother Drew. This is not an easy thing to do by any stretch, and as time has passed, good ideas and bad have fallen by the wayside.
When Mark, Alyce and I started toying with the idea of a ride across Australia, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to do something really positive in Drew’s memory. Alyce was also very keen to honour Dennis’ memory, and when she suggested raising money for the Black Dog Institute, the idea quickly became a reality.
While there is no doubt that the ride itself is a wonderful achievement and an experience I will never forget, raising money and awareness on behalf of the Black Dog Institute has been just as satisfying, if not more so.
There is no way that any of this would have been possible without the support of our family and friends. My family, friends and workmates have backed me at every point, and I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the time, energy, donations and support that I have received.
While I missed my wife and children incredibly while I was away, Katie, Harry and Ruby have also been my strongest supporters and I couldn’t have done this without them. Similarly, one of my great pleasures was sharing the first half of the ride with my parents, Fran and Dugald who kept my spirits and energy levels up during some very tough days on the bike.
Anita and Judy were fantastic during the second half of the trip, particularly when conditions really started to test us. And of course, I am incredibly grateful to Alyce and Mark for their support and drive throughout. This has been an fantastic team effort from the outset.
I should probably reflect a little on the ride itself…it is without question the most physically and perhaps mentally difficult thing I have ever done, but also one of the most satisfying.
We saw some amazing things each and every day, from the starkness of the Hay Plain, to the lush vineyards and orchards along the Murray to the spectacular and everchanging scenary across the Nullarbor. And each and every day, conditions changed to make things just that little more interesting, be it headwinds, crosswinds, tailwinds, cool mornings, scorching hot days or driving rain.
There is no doubt that I am rapt to be home with my family and friends, and my butt thanks me each and every morning that I choose not to sit on a bike seat. That said, I am looking forward to getting back on the bike in the New Year and wonder what the next pipe dream might be…Top2Tail 2011??
