Brendan Smith takes on Gibb Challenge for charity

Brendan Smith, 54, of Glenbrook heard about the Gibb Challenge - an almost 700km team relay event held in north-west Western Australia which raises money for charity - and thought it seemed like a fun thing to do for a good cause.

He set up a collection box at his workplace, Blaxland Day 'n' Night Pharmacy, raising $2500 towards the challenge and began training for the five-day event, which he completed with friend David Holley from Shark Bay in Western Australia.

The duo rode a new type of bike with "fatboy tyres", about the size of motorbike tyres, and well-suited to sandy conditions. They would take it in turns to each ride for an hour.

Towards the end of the endurance challenge, held late last month, the duo were riding in 38 degree temperatures and torrential rain.

At day four, an 111km day, with a 3km climb to a lookout, Mr Smith was glad he had his buddy by his side.

"I got there [the lookout] after riding too long and not having enough nutritional water and I was pretty distressed and luckily Dave took over," Mr Smith said.

The riders camped overnight at Aboriginal communities or outback homestead stations.

"It was stunning scenery in the Kimberleys and there were billabongs, plateaus, and its such a big, vast country and so remote," Mr Smith said.

On returning to the Mountains, Mr Smith's colleagues were so inspired by his experience, they are considering entering a pharmacy team next year.

"You don't have to be enormously fit ... it just takes commitment," he said.

Mr Smith said he appreciated the support given him by pharmacy customers and staff, and his support crew during the challenge.

About 80 teams took part in the challenge, raising $495,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

The Gibb Challenge has whet Mr Smith's appetite, and he is planning on entering the five-day Simpson Desert Bike Challenge in September which also raises money for charity.