A 105-STRONG group of riders and their support crew converged on Taronga Western Plains Zoo yesterday afternoon to conclude the three-day Zoo2Zoo ride from Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.
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Organiser Andrew McKay, one of 10 Dubbo participants, said the ride aimed to raise awareness of depression, bipolar disorder and suicide.
The fundraising effort of $200,000 for the Black Dog Institute exceeded all expectations, he said.
The ride was a little different from those in years past in that Prime Minister Tony Abbott led the cyclists on the first part of the journey from Mosman to Mt Wilberforce.
“He was fantastic, an utter gentleman who fitted in nicely with the rest of the group,” Mr McKay said.
“He’s a very good rider, and yes, much fitter than me.”
The ride went from Mosman through the Hills District of Sydney, across the Blue Mountains, Mt Victoria, Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange, Molong, Cumnock and Yeoval before finishing in Dubbo.
Mr McKay said the group had shared the message of good mental health with the communities they travelled through, all of which had been most hospitable.