Difficulties couldn’t stop Luke’s ride for Lifeline

LONG-distance cyclist Luke Baker arrived in Bendigo on Tuesday, having overcome various obstacles to ride more than three thousand, two hundred kilometres to raise money for suicide prevention and awareness.

Mr Baker, a former Bendigo police officer, last month set out to ride 3249 kilometres from Albany in Western Australia, to Bendigo – one kilometre for every life lost to suicide in 2022.

Having suffered from mental health problems himself, Mr Baker chose Lifeline Loddon Mallee as the beneficiary of his Pedalling For Hope campaign.

At the time of his arrival, World Suicide Prevention Day, the total of donations stood at nearly $10,000.

But Mr Baker’s efforts were not trouble-free.

About a month before the ride was to start, his bike was stolen from his home. Then, on the drive to the Albany starting point, his donated motorhome – the official support vehicle – broke down, with mechanics unable to guarantee it would last the journey.

And finally, the collapse of the Rex airline delayed his family joining him in the west.

But determined to continue, Mr Baker reconfigured his plans and clocked up the distance by riding through local government areas covered by Lifeline Loddon Mallee, averaging about 155 kilometres a day.

He was officially welcomed back by his partner Melissa, his children and Lifeline officials at Rosalind Park.

“When I rode in yesterday it was just a big emotion dump,” Mr Baker said.

He said his feelings were relief that the end had been reached, satisfaction in having completed such a mammoth challenge, and happiness knowing that someone would be helped because of his efforts.

As for what comes next, Mr Baker said resting was at the top of the immediate to-do list, but he plans to continue hosting the Bendigo Mr Perfect barbecues for men’s health and will consider other similar activities.

“But I probably won’t do something on this scale again,” he admitted.