Almost 30 years separates them, but long haul solo cyclists Bob Montgomery and Jeremy Scott have a lot in common.
Both have spent the past few years riding long distances for charity.
Mr Montgomery is about to embark on the final leg of his 15,000 km around Australia solo cycling tour. He sets off in a week for the “last leg” from Darwin to Port Douglas.
And Mr Scott, who recently stayed with the Montgomerys while on an Australian speaking tour, spent two-and-a-half years cycling a remarkable 52,000 kilometres around the globe – from London to New Zealand.
“I’m crazy and he’s another level of crazy,” Mr Montgomery, 74, of Leura, said laughing.
The journeys have been about raising awareness and funds for a cause – Mr Montgomery for motor neurone disease after the death of his cousin. Mr Scott for the heart foundation after he survived a potentially fatal heart operation at age four.
And both say it was the mental struggle, not the physical, that was the hardest to overcome on their epic rides.
“It’s those similarities we’ve spent hours talking about late into the evening… getting through those rubbish days... breaking down the kilometres,” Mr Scott said.
“And the weather conditions,” Mr Montgomery added. “In your mind you’re saying you don’t give up, there will be a change. You’ve got to teach your mind.”
Mr Scott was in bad shape before he left on his ride in 2011, age 38. He was recovering from a knee reconstruction, had a bad back and RSI from his job in design in London, and was many kilos over his goal weight.
“I had a knee construction and watched sport in the pub … I don’t recommend my approach to anyone. I thought the ride would take a year-and-a-half, it took a year longer than that.
“But you learn to listen to your body, try not to be a hero, to have more joy. I tuned out the rubbish [in my head] and I could feel the heartbeat and tune into that ...the kilometres just melt away.”
Mr Montgomery’s approach was a lot different. The grandfather of 10, trained hard and regularly cycled from his Leura home to Jenolan Caves and back.
“Jeremy’s was an adventure over many years. I trained in a different way.”
Mr Scott has raised about $35,000 towards the Australian, British and New Zealand Heart Foundations and continues to raise money through sales of his book about his around the globe journey. Go to jeremyscott.com.au to buy a copy.
Mr Montgomery has raised $150,000 on three previous rides and has a final target of $250,000.To help with his last fundraising efforts for motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease and Iggy Get Out, a research group into MND, go to https://everydayhero.com.au/event/darwin2portdouglas.
Mr Montgomery leaves for his ride on Sunday July 22 and is expected in Port Douglas by August 16.
