Intrepid UNE student and fire-fighter Tara Lal and her co-cyclist Sarah Davis are nearing the halfway mark of their epic ride across the Australian continent to raise awareness and money for mental health support.
The journey has proven the value of their mission in the tough, valuable conversations they’re having, hearing and creating - and it certainly hasn’t been without its challenges.
The pair left Australia's most westerly point - Steep Point - on March 16, but had their first flat tyre within 4km, and the flats just kept coming. Tara said the first 185km – crossing sand dunes and corrugated, sandy roads in 45-degree heat – was punishing. Laden with all their gear, the bikes weigh almost 70 kilograms, and both hands are needed to maintain steering and stability.
"It was tough going and required some serious teamwork," Tara says. "Together, we would push one bike about 200 metres, then leave it and go do the same with the other. We thought it would get easier when we reached the road, but it was just as sandy, so we were pushing our bikes as much as we were riding them."
Tara Lal and Sarah Davis are nearing the halfway mark of their long ride.
Pretty soon the pair were down to their last spare inner tube, which necessitated a detour to Geraldton Bikes to change the tyre set-up to tubeless, then regroup and resupply.
Tara and Sarah have since been clocking up about 100km a day, despite having to constantly pull off the road to let road trains overtake. "Cycling for ten-and-a-half hours has been our biggest day so far, but we stop every half-hour for a drink and something to eat, to keep hydrated," Tara says. "We've managed to keep laughing through all the highs and lows.
Part of the journey is dealing with all the things that don't go to plan and our challenges are laughable in comparison to those of some of the people we've met.
"In one tiny town, a woman told us of three suicides since October; and another woman had lost five friends to suicide, which had a huge impact on her and her wider community. I know all the statistics and numbers from my PhD research (which centres on understanding the impact of suicide on fire-fighters), but the reality of hearing these stories is unbelievable.
Tara Lal and Sarah Davis on a blessedly flat stretch.
"It has reinforced the value of opening up safe spaces for people, and you don't need to be a psychologist or mental health professional to do that. Those conversations are as important as the money we raise."
As they continue their 5167-kilometre adventure, the kindness of strangers buoys Tara and Sarah's spirits on a regular basis. "We've been so lucky with the people that we've met, who have gone above and beyond to help us, give us cool drinks and food, accommodate us in their homes and donate to our two charities, Lifeline and Mood Active," Tara says.
So far they have each raised more than $7000, and Tara and Sarah are hoping that tailwinds across the Nullarbor will enable them to keep to schedule and arrive in Byron Bay - Australia's most easterly point - in mid-May.
Go to cyclingoz.com for more information and to donate.
If you feel you need support, please call Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636.
Tara Lal takes a breather and contemplates the road ahead.
