Blind Courage

There was a real air of excitement this morning (Monday, April 26), as the cyclists and crew prepared for the very last day of the Blind Courage tandem bike ride across Australia. We’d stayed overnight at the Bass Hill Tourist Park and left bright and early to be at our starting point – the Dunc Gray Velodrome, which was not far from the park.

When the blogger arrived at the venue (late as usual), the cyclists were chatting to a few other cyclists – Justin, Minh and Dan – who planned to ride with them in to the city on the final leg of the 4000km-plus trek. John Nicholson was videoing the scene, as he had done throughout the trip and Mitch was pacing before escorting the boys in his final role as “tail-end Charlie”. Also in attendance was Senior Constable Andrew McNeice from Bankstown Police. As arranged the previous evening via John Murray, chairman of Bankstown Sports Club and his friend Ian, in the police force, Andrew was to be the Blind Courage police escort into the city. Also on hand at the velodrome were Karen and David Ross, who work with Bowdens Group in Sydney, great supporters of the Blind Courage ride.

That last 26km in to the Sydney Opera House was one of the shortest – and slowest – trips of the entire journey, as Grant’s final set of stats will attest. Mind you, the police escort was fabulous and having Andrew up front with lights flashing made for a pretty impressive entrance to the Opera House forecourt. With all the waiting media, family, friends and supporters, we didn’t get the chance to thank him personally for his efforts, which were very much appreciated by the Blind Courage cyclists and crew.

The security staff at the Opera House were wonderful to us as well, granting us special permission to park the motor homes for a few hours until we finalised our media commitments and had photos taken on the steps of the iconic Sydney landmark. So a big thank you to Chris Wynton and all the team at the Sydney Opera House for making us so welcome.

Thanks to Channel 10, ABC TV and Channel Seven for showing interest in the Blind Courage story and coming out to talk to the boys. With the news media full of the football salary cap scandal, miniature horses on the other side of the world, a cat stuck up a tree and that pint-sized Canadian pop star, your support and coverage of Blind Courage was most heartening. And thanks to our terrific new mate, Sydney freelance photographer Geoff Ambler, who covered our arrival. We’d met Geoff the night before at Bankstown Sports Club and he was only too happy to come along to capture the Blind Courage arrival on camera.

It was a pretty exciting time for the Nicholson clan too, as it had been 14 years since the entire family had gathered together. Two sisters live in the United States, another in Barcaldine, Queensland and another in Tamworth, NSW. The two brothers live in Brisbane and mum and dad Nicholson (Julie and John) are on the NSW Central Coast, so full family reunions are a rarity. The last one was in 1996, so today was extra special for all the family.

Deano and Lorin’s wives, Janelle and Lisa, and their children arrived from Brisbane, and Grant’s wife, Rhys, was in Sydney to see her hubby come over the finish line. Poor old John Eder had to wait until he got home to Warwick to see his pussy cat!
After a full four weeks of going through everything from mouse and locust plagues, heat, cold, dust, rain and aches in every body part imaginable, the Blind Courage tandem bike ride is now a part of Australian history. The reason for the ride is still there… 300,000 blind people in Australia. While we have not yet reached our financial target of $300,000, we remain optimistic that corporate Australia will come to the party – and that any individuals or organisations with a few spare dollars in the kitty might consider giving to Blind Courage. We have until June 30, 2010 to finalise this appeal, so please, if you have not already donated, do it now. Thanks to all those people who supported Blind Courage along the way from Perth to Sydney – and thanks to those who will support it before the end of June. We could not have achieved what we did without your help and encouragement.

Grant’s final statistics: 25.8km in 1 hour 24 minutes; Grant’s average speed was 18.3km/h; maximum speed 50.6km/h; minimum temperature 9.7 degrees; maximum temp 20.4 degrees; 7.85 km of climbing; average incline 3 per cent; maximum incline 6 per cent; downhill descending 9.9km; average descent 2 per cent; maximum descent 6 per cent.

Four thousand kilometres in four weeks is an extraordinary journey for anyone, but just imagine trying it if you were blind on the back of a tandem pushbike. That’s exactly what Brisbane-based brothers Lorin and Dean Nicholson will achieve when they arrive on steps of the Sydney Opera House at 8am tomorrow (Monday, April 26). They will complete this epic journey in the company of their pilot riders John Eder (of Warwick, Qld) and Grant Williams (of Brisbane, Qld) and the iconic Sydney landmark will never have looked better for any of them.

The reason for their journey is threefold:

(1) They will become the first blind persons to cycle 4000km across Australia, creating national history and a landmark achievement for the vision impaired;
(2) They aim to raise $300,000 for Vision Australia, which equates to $1 for every blind or vision impaired person in this country; and
(3) Their dearest wish is to change the public perception of what a blind or vision impaired person is capable of.

Both Lorin, 41, and Dean, 40, are happily married, each with four healthy and beautiful children. Each is successful in their chosen field, Dean as an environmental scientist and qualified accountant, and Lorin as a highly sought after motivational speaker and professional musician. Lorin is also a highly experienced remedial massage therapist.

“My brother and I consider ourselves very lucky, even though we are blind,” Lorin said. “There are 300,000 of our fellow Australians who are blind or have low vision and of those, 63 per cent who want to work cannot gain employment. This is due largely to to the general public perception of the worth and capabilities of a person with a white cane or a guide dog. We are not just riding to help make a difference to those 300,000 people.  We are hoping to inspire a nation. If we can cross this amazingly beautiful country in four weeks with our supposed ‘disability’, the field is now wide open to every man, woman and child in Australia to go out and follow their dream, whatever it is.”

Don’t miss sharing this incredible triumph and significant piece of Australian history with their victorious arrival at Sydney Opera House at 8am on Monday, April 26.

The Blind Courage cyclists are now poised on the outskirts of Sydney with their final destination firmly in mind. They will leave the Bass Hill Velodrome at 6.30am for an 8am arrival at the Opera House.

To help the Blind Courage cyclists support Vision Australia, visit www.blindcourage.com

ends….

For further information visit the website, www.blindcourage.com … or to arrange an interview with Lorin phone Anna Rose on 0409 514 933.

Media release 20.4.10 – for immediate release

Look out Sydney Opera House – here comes Blind Courage!

Blind brothers Lorin and Dean Nicholson are now less than 1000km from the finish line on their epic Perth to Sydney tandem bike ride.  Together with pilot riders John Eder and Grant Williams, the brothers had by this morning (April 20) pedalled 3183km in 123 hours and 32 minutes’ riding time since leaving Perth on Monday, March 29. They have ridden across the Nullarbor through rain, dust, heat, cold, wind and unmentionable liquids coming from sheep and cattle trucks, but nothing has deterred them, day in, day out.

Their quest is threefold: to become the first blind people to ride tandem bikes more than 4000km across Australia; to raise $300,000 for Vision Australia, the country’s largest provider of services to the blind and those with low vision; and to inspire a nation. They don’t only want to inspire other blind people to follow their dreams. These young men wish to inspire all Australians and in the process, change the public perception of what a blind person can actually achieve.

Lorin and Dean Nicholson were born with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye condition that left them with just 10 per cent sight. Over the years, their vision has deteriorated to less than 5 per cent, but that hasn’t stopped them from leading productive lives. Both are successful in their careers – Lorin is a professional musician and sought after motivational speaker with his own business, See Sharp (seesharp.com.au) – and Dean is an environmental scientist with one of Australia’s leading surveying, planning and engineering firms, Bowdens Group. Born in Wollongong, raised in Tamworth and now based in Brisbane, both brothers are happily married, each with four children, all of whom have perfect vision. Their pilot riders, John Eder and Grant Williams, are based in Warwick and Brisbane respectively.

“My brother and I consider ourselves very lucky,” Lorin said. “We may not be able to see, but it doesn’t stop us achieving what we set out to do. Sadly, there are 300,000 blind and vision impaired people in Australia today – and of those blind people who want to work, 63 per cent cannot gain employment. This is due largely to the poor public perception of their capabilities. Just because someone uses a white cane or has a guide dog, does not mean they cannot be useful and productive in a work situation.”

Dean agrees, and says he believes people who are blind or vision impaired may make better employees than those with perfect sight. “Someone with low vision is a loyal and dedicated employee and does not take for granted the fact that they have a job. They know only too well how difficult it is to be given a fair go,” Dean said.

Over the past three weeks, these four young men, aged 32 to 41, have crossed some of this country’s roughest terrain, riding six days out of seven and hopping back on their bikes, day after day without complaint. Apart from aching muscles, sore backsides and legs that could do with a decent rest, they are in peak condition and are all lean, mean, bike riding machines. Having left Balranald this morning (Tuesday, April 20), they will ride to Hay today, Narrandera tomorrow, Wagga Wagga Thursday, Canberra Friday, Goulburn by lunchtime Saturday and then on to Mittagong that afternoon. While Sunday is usually a rest day, they will complete a short ride (100km) and position themselves to leave Bass Hill velodrome, in Sydney’s western suburbs, at 6.30am on Monday, April 26, to ride in to the Sydney Opera House by 8am – and into the Australian record books.

This amazing bike adventure would not have been possible without the support of sponsors Clubs Australia, Virgin Blue, Optus, Cannondale Cycles, Bowdens Group, Water & Carbon, KEA Campers and ISP Media.

“The donations so far have not come close to our goal, so it would be fantastic if corporate Australia could show their true blue colours and back us in this venture,” Lorin said. “We have been amazed by people’s generosity in remote outback locations right across Australia. Now we are so close to the finish line, it would be great if our efforts on the bikes were matched by the donation tally to Vision Australia.”

You can also donate by phoning the Vision Australia hotline on 1300 84 74 66.

 Release created 20.4.10 for Blind Courage by Anna Rose Media Solutions 

 For further information or to arrange an interview or media opportunity with the cyclists, phone Anna Rose on 0409 514 933. 

It was with a great sense of relief that we arrived in Mildura on Friday, rather than our scheduled ETA of Saturday, April 17. We are still feeling the benefit of that more than welcome tailwind up the Nullarbor from Balladonia to Caiguna that gave us a day’s grace in our across country trek. Two whole days without having to climb back on those bikes is a blessing for our hard-riding foursome, which has now become five, with the arrival of Lorin’s mate, Mark Berends, who will ride with the team all the way in to Sydney for the final 1100km.

We couldn’t have chosen a better place to rest up either. The All Seasons Holiday Park at 818 Fifteenth St is a Top Tourist park in more than one sense of the word. The good people here have allowed the Blind Courage crew to stay three nights free of charge on powered sites in our KEA motor homes. Thanks for your support of the Blind Courage venture. It is very much appreciated.

A big thankyou to Max Thorburn, editor of the Mildura Independent online newspaper and head honcho of HOT-FM. Max very kindly let his readers and listeners know all about the impending arrival of the Blind Courage team to town. Thanks also to Keiran Iles, editor of the Sunraysia Daily newspaper and to the Mildura Weekly for their support of Blind Courage.

On Saturday the team arrived at the Mildura Workingman’s Club for lunch, which was provided by the club – thanks to our sponsors, Clubs Australia. The people of Mildura and district are very fortunate to have a club such as this in town. The food from the bistro was the best we have tasted anywhere and even our ravenous riders were struggling to get through their meal. Thanks so much to Jill, Craig, Sue, Wendy and the staff for looking after us so well on our stopover in Mildura.

While we’re handing out thanks, we must thank the good people at the Mildura Vision Australia office – Carmel, Janeen and the team. They welcomed us to town on Friday and then on Sunday morning hosted a lovely morning tea on the banks of the Murray River. The selection of home made slices and cakes went down very well with the riders, who were eating up in preparation for their big week of riding ahead. Thanks to David, Carmel’s husband, for providing the PA and helping set up the event; thanks to the wonderful Vision Australia volunteers, who happily gave up their Sunday morning to help welcome nine travellers to town in such a warm and friendly way. It was lovely to see Johno and the lovely photographer from the Sunraysia Daily stopping by to take a photo and interview the cyclists.

It was great to meet the mayor of Mildura, Cr Glenn Milne, who gave us a friendly and heartfelt welcome to town. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to say g’day to the Blind Courage mob.

The boys took time out on Saturday morning to check out the Mildura Super Bicycle Store and Hodgson’s Sunraysia Bike Hub. Hodgo gave the boys a generous discount on some fluoro vests that will make them a standout on the highway in to Sydney.

Lorin and Dean were interviewed on the Vision Australia radio network Mildura, after Lorin dragged himself away from the music shop next door. Musos will be musos, won’t they? Don’t worry Lisa. He didn’t buy anything – he just looked and chatted, of course!

Mitch’s diner was transformed into bikers’ mobile mechanical workshop when Grant and John carried out some much needed maintenance on the Cannondales, who have been given a real baptism of fire over these last 3000km. It was a rather ceremonious occasion when the boys unceremoniously tossed a tube or two of Aussie Butt Cream at their new cycling comrade, Mark. “What’s this for?”, he asked. “You’ll soon find out,” said the boys, chuckling as they handed over the merchandise.

A big hello from the Blind Courage team, particularly Dean Nicholson, to the students of class 6/7 Blue at Moorooka State School, Brisbane. These lovely little kids are tracking our journey across Australia. Special hi to Gabby Nicholson from your dad. Love you lots. Another big cheerio and thankyou to staff and students of Warwick Central State School for their fabulous initiative in support of Blind Courage. They’re the first school we know of to host a free dress day where all students gave a gold coin donation for the privilege of going to school out of uniform. Let’s hope they’re not the last school to think of doing something creative to help fundraise for the Blind Courage team. We’ve still got a long way to go to reach our total of $300,000 – but we have until the end of June to complete this fundraising venture. So if you haven’t got anything planned yet, put some thought into it and plan away. You can donate on the website or at any Vision Australia office within Australia.

The lads were kept busy on Friday evening and Saturday morning in the laundry of the All Seasons Holiday Park, washing their Sugoi nicks and jerseys. They have certainly lived up to their name, which Grant tells me is the Japanese word for “incredible”. Grant spent some time living in Japan and as well as coming back a big fan of rice, he learnt heaps about the language.

After our morning tea and meet and greet on the Murray, Grant showed us his expertise with a set of barbecue tools. Anyone would think he was a contender for My Kitchen Rules …. or should that be pretender? He fancies himself behind the barbie and even had the cheek to have a go at my poor old rissoles which still couldn’t get their act together. Shame about that. They’ll never know how good my rissoles really are. We also found out that Lorin and Jordan both hate peas. They’re nature’s little disasters, according to Lorin, and the only time he forces them down his throat is if his lovely Lisa cooks them by mistake. By the way, she hates them too. Beans and Brussels sprouts rule in the Nicholson abode.

We are now in full preparation mode for our imminent arrival in Sydney. If you haven’t already made plans, make sure you spend your Anzac Day public holiday morning – Monday, April 26, at the Sydney Opera House. The boys estimate their arrival at 8am or close to it, depending on inner city traffic. Big thanks to the Opera House public relations crew for helping facilitate our visit to the iconic Aussie landmark.

This week it’s full speed ahead to Balranald (Monday); Hay (Tuesday); Narrandera (Wednesday); Wagga Wagga (Thursday); Canberra (Friday); and Goulburn on Saturday. We have functions and community meetings scheduled in most stops along the way, so we hope to see you somewhere along the road to our journey’s end. We’re all praying for south-westerly winds this week, so say a little prayer for the cyclists too. Every little prayer helps.

Now past the halfway mark, the Blind Courage epic tandem bike ride across Australia is on the homeward stretch towards their arrival at Sydney Opera House on Monday, April 26.  Tamworth-based publicist Anna Rose, who is travelling with the blind cyclists, reports:

Ants as big as dogs and crows you could put a saddle on are just some of the outback critters we’ve encountered on this across-country adventure, but even so, it’s been the trip of a lifetime. My 14-year-old son Jordan and I have been fortunate to be the support crew for the intrepid riders, under the Blind Courage banner, on this 4000km trek from Perth to Sydney which began just over two weeks ago.

We are now on the downhill run towards our final destination, but we still have lots of territory to cover before we reach the finish line – those iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House at Bennelong Point on April 26. Blind siblings Lorin and Dean Nicholson and their pilot riders John Eder and Grant Williams, are supreme athletes to back up day after day on this trek where they’ve encountered dust, mud, rain, headwinds, sludge, heat and cold.

Support team members John Nicholson (Lorin and Dean’s dad) and his good mate, Mitch Howard, have been incredible over this journey.  Mitch is the tailgate man – driving the KEA motor home behind the riders, with his hazard lights flashing and the huge banner on the back urging caution: there are blind cyclists ahead. John drives about 30 to 50km ahead of the cyclists, and has a meal ready for the boys to wolf down before they tackle the next leg of the ride.

They eat like horses but there’s no chance they will put on weight, cycling for up to eight hours a day. With just one rest day each week, the cyclists have averaged up to 180km per day. On their best day yet, with a tailwind pushing them along the Nullarbor, they rode an amazing 269km in just over seven hours – 184km of that before lunch in only four hours 45 minutes! That awesome day was on the Balladonia to Caiguna run, taking in the famous 90 mile stretch – Australia’s longest straight road. This huge effort put them one full day ahead of schedule, meaning they can all enjoy an extra rest day in Mildura this weekend.

We had seen the glorious Nullarbor cliffs, and the Great Australian Bight National Marine Park, crossing the border from Western Australia in to South Australia. There was a decided change of landscape, with fences now appearing, signalling the start of farming lands, after so much remote, fenceless countryside on the Nullarbor. I’d always imagined it to be a vast, treeless plain, but it was nothing like that. The colourful wildflowers and the native clumps of grasses could have been the feature of any work of art. It actually was – it was God’s garden.

In areas where the average rainfall can be counted in millimetres on one hand, the rain tumbled down and along with it, rainfall records were shattered. Instead of their annual rainfall of 8mm, 80mm fell in some areas in a day – or a night. It was unheard of, but more than welcomed by the people who inhabit this arid, drought-stricken land where water is the most precious of commodities. We have encountered amazing generosity in these hardy people of outback Australia – from the roadhouse operators, to caravan park owners, and our fellow travellers. People are quite wonderful and more than willing to show random acts of kindness to total strangers.

The media has been extremely supportive of our venture but we’ve still got a way to go in this cross-country trek. Thanks to all the radio, TV and newspaper reporters who have helped to cover our journey to date.  With 300,000 blind people in Australia today, we aim to raise $1 for each of them.  If you haven’t already visited the www.blindcourage.com website, please do. You’ll find stories and photos of our trip to date and a progressive total of donations.

That’s where this story gets a little sad. It appears the enormous efforts of our cyclists haven’t been matched in donations by the public and the corporate sector. It’s a little disheartening when I can see the huge effort these boys are making day after day – and we check the blog and the total is not growing by any significant degree. All proceeds from this ride will be used by Vision Australia to assist our blind and vision impaired fellow Aussies to live active, happy and productive lives.

These boys hope to inspire all Australians – not just those who are blind or vision impaired – to hop off the couch and chase their dreams. Anything is possible; nothing is impossible. If you have yet to donate, hop on the website and press the “donate now” button, or phone the donation hotline on 1300 84 74 66. Read the blogs, check out the rider profiles, have a look at the Vision Australia website and see how you can make a difference to the lives of your fellow Aussies – and to your own.