Zoo2Zoo arrives in Dubbo after nine day event

Eighteen riders participated in the first leg of the Zoo2Zoo from Melbourne to Canberra. A much larger contingent travelled from Canberra to Dubbo, finishing at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Local riders Stu Clifford from Goolma, Rod Milder from Warren, Nicholas Collings and Adam Mort from Mudgee, Chris Roche form Armatree were assisted in support crew by Julee Hunt from Narromine and Andrew McKay from Dubbo. Other riders came from areas like Newcastle, Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

The ride raises money for the Black Dog Institute, a charity focused on mental illness.

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Support person Lou Sanderson said while her husband had completed the ride for the past five years, this was the first time she had helped out.

"Sometimes I think we all take too much. It's nice to give something back," she said.

Ms Sanderson said her husband took part in the ride in honour of his brother who died by suicide.

All up the nine day event covered more than 1300 kilometres.

Ms Sanderson said she hadn't realised how gruelling the ride was until she had seen it up close. It has been inspirational, she said.

The support person said while it could feel like groundhog day, the crew had a busy role to make sure the riders had food and water at every destination.

So far the 2019 Zoo2Zoo has raised almost $72,000. The biggest fundraiser has been Mark Heanly, whose donations have totaled more than $8000.