APART from some obligatory saddle sores and an unexpected airlift for an injured competitor, it was smooth riding for the dozen riders from HMAS Albatross who took the Defence Long Ride to Margaret River.
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Team Albatross raised $12,638 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) on the nine-day, 4500 kilometre ride.
Team organiser Lieutenant Wayne Langworthy said the ride went well with all riders having a great time.
“I was driving the support vehicle because I’d injured my leg in a motorbike accident a few weeks before,” he said.
“I was a bit gutted I wasn’t riding, but happy to be still in the game.
“Then an unforeseen latent complication with my leg along the way resulted in me being airlifted from Esperance to Perth by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
“After that, the blokes took it in turns putting their bike on the trailer and driving the support vehicle.”
LEUT Langworthy said Team Albatross set off with 12 members including Chief Pettry Officer Nathan Minett’s wife Dawn, and Able Seaman Dave Loughman, who took over as team manager after LEUT Langworthy was airlifted out.
“We had two Australian Public Service members from Albatross, Brian Croker and Peter Booth, join us as well,” he said.
“But special mention must go to LEUT Deborah Evison who completed the entire trip on her husband’s Suzuki 650 trail bike.”
LEUT Evison, who has been riding dirt bikes “since she was a kid”, said she had a few misgivings the day before she left, but as soon as the ride started she was determined to make it.
“On day three I bought dishwashing sponges to put under the seat cover for added comfort and on day four I bought some bubble wrap,” she said.
“By day eight the bubble wrap was nearly all popped but my backside had become somewhat accustomed.”
LEUT Evison said it was the longest ride she had ever attempted.
“The days were relatively short with the longest ride being 711km. I have ridden greater distances per day but not over 10 days,” she said.
“Team Albatross were an amazing bunch of guys that just made it so much more fun.”
The money the team raised for the prostate foundation, was the most per person for a Defence group on the ride.
LEUT Evison said more needed to be done for male health issues and this was the main reason she wanted to take part.
LEUT Langworthy said he became involved with The Long Ride with the effects of prostate cancer touching both his friends and family on a few fronts.
“I love riding motor bikes and I couldn’t think of a more fun way to raise money and combine the two,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the many local businesses in Nowra and members and contractors at Albatross who contributed to our fundraising.”
He particularly highlighted Jayco Nowra which donated $2000 towards the cause, the Lend Lease contractors and workers on the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) at Albatross which also raised $2000.
“We raised a further $2000 through a gate collection drive at the base and an extra $1000 from a barbecue at Bunnings,” he said.
“It was amazing during the ride people just came up and would donate money.”
The distance covered by the riders was more than 4000km each way with riders spending an average of 160 hours in the saddle for the whole trip.
The entire ride netted $307,000 for the PCFA, of which ADF teams contributed just under $137,000.
