Father’s cross-country ride to end where heartache began

AFTER an epic 4,300-kilometre solo cycling journey across Australia, Ross Abraham is set to arrive in Byron Bay on Thursday, May 21.

The pastor from Reserve Creek, near Murwillumbah, took on the month-long ride to raise funds for Beautiful Crazy — a charity he and his wife Kathy founded to support families with loved ones in intensive care units. The initiative provides care bags filled with essentials such as a blanket, toothbrush and snacks.

The couple were inspired to start the charity after their own experience in ICU when their 31-year-old son, Jaaden, suffered a critical brain injury in an e-scooter accident in Byron Bay last year.

Through his campaign, The Longest Ride, Abraham hopes to fund 4,300 care bags — one for every kilometre pedalled.

“My son was always full of energy and life,” Abraham said. “He loved anyone who did something out of the box, so I think he’d be cheering me on.”

Starting in Perth, Abraham has cycled through Kalgoorlie, Uluru, Broken Hill and Bourke, averaging around 150 kilometres a day.

“It’s been tough, as you can imagine, with all the gravel roads, headwinds and corrugations,” he said. “And I’ve seen enough flies to last me a lifetime.”

To keep costs low, Abraham has been camping each night. Besides the roadhouse pies, he said the best thing about the trip has been the people he’s met along the way.

“I met a couple who lost their son 18 years ago in a surfing accident and we had a hug on the side of the road,” he said.

Abraham expects to arrive in Byron Bay around 2.30pm, with a community celebration planned at North Byron Hotel from 4pm to 6pm.

“I’m finishing where Jaaden had his accident outside the Cavanbah Centre and getting to see my wife and family again will be very emotional,” he said.

To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/beautiful-crazys-the-longest-ride