Ridn4Mates1V

                

           June 27 to July 25 2026

The Leader

It took the loss of good friends to Brain Cancer for Brad Bates to get angry enough to put his heart into doing something about it. Doing it 4 Mates, then Ridn 4 Mates gave him an outlet, a way of contributing to the fight against Brain Cancer.

He'd seen his friend Mark Hughes do something too, he started the Mark Hughes Foundation that now has world wide reach in seeking a cure, initiating scientific research in collaboration with the Hunter Medical Research Institute. A massive $38 million dollars has been raised by the MHF.

Brad's three rides to date in 2022, 2023 and 2024 have raised over $158,000. You'd think that might be enough,  but no, not Brad.

He's challenging us, his mates, friends and family to participate in or support his 2026 campaign,  ride from Darwin to Bulga, just 4300 kilometres on the bikes.

Behind the Scenes

It takes more than ideas and energetic riders to make this a success. 

You need people like Sammy Harris, born in Singleton,  grew up in Bulga. Sammy does the invisible stuff, she thinks of things, tidies up the mess. She looks after sponsors, the budget and the money.

What you see is what you get with Sammy, she has a passion to help

Sammy's been with us since day one, a beautiful person with her dads heart. We'd be lost without her.

The Support Crew 

Every day this event will rely on the support team to keep us rolling. Its such a tough job, long slow hours between rousing us ot of bed, sorting breakfasts,  road supplies,  lunch and dinner and tucking us in. Accomodation or camping needs to be sorted, oh and there's the esky. 

You have no idea how important these people are. So riders, remember how much they do when you're feeling a bit tired and temperamental. 

Thanks so much to you all for getting involved. 

The Ride

This is not an event to be taken lightly. Its a huge all round test, mentally,  physically,  emotionally. The emotional stuff starts when you prick your ears up, hearing about the opportunity at the pub. Is this for me, am I up to it, am I still up to 4,300 ks. Can I crack out 200 k days, a couple in a row, 10 days straight,  then 9 then 8. 165 ks average every day for a month. Seems a bit crazy.

But, these opportunities are rare, not everyone gets a chance like this. So just say yes, I'm in. Sort out the issues as they find their way into your life. Enjoy it, embrace it , share the hardship with some friends.

If we break up the mission into chunks, it will be achievable. 

The Route

June 27 to August 25th 2026

1 Sat 27th Darwin to Emerald Creek RH 162

2 Sun 28th Emerald Springs to Katherine (Fire Station) 125

3 Mon 29th Katherine to Mataranka (Cabins) 110

4 Tue 30th Mataranka to Daly Water's RH 165

5 Wed 1st Daly Waters to Elliott (Fire Station) 150

6 Thu 2nd Elliott to Renner Springs (Motel) 100

7 Fri 3rd Renner Springs to Tennant Creek (Fire Station)160

8 Sat 4th Tennant Creek to Barrow Creek 205

9 Sun 5th Barrow Creek to Ti Tree RH 100

10 Mon 6th Ti Tree to Alice Springs (Fire Station) 195

11 Tue 7th Rest Day 

12 Wed 8th Alice to Ghan (Motel) 200

13 Thu 9th Ghan to Agnes Creek RA G 170

14 Fri 10thAgnes Creek to Cadney Park RH 165

15 Sat 11th Cadney Park to Coober Pede (Motel)155

16 Sun 12th Coober Pede to Bon Bon RA G T 170

17 Mon 13 th Bon Bon to Pimba RH 200

18 Tue 14th Pimba to Port Augusta (Motel) 180

19 Wed 15th  Rest Day Port Augusta 

20 Thu 16th Port Augusta to Peterborough (Motel) 130

21 Fri 17th Peterborough  to Olary (Pub) 170

22 Sat 18th Olary to Broken Hill (Motel) 120

23 Sun 19th Broken Hill to Wilcannia (Motel) 195

24 Mon 20th Wilcannia to Bush Camp G 200

25 Tue 21st Bush Camp to Nyngan (Pub) 200

26 Wed 22nd Nyngan to Dubbo (Pub) 165

27 Thu 23rd Dubbo to Rylstone(Pub)180

28 Fri 24th Rylstone to Denman 124

29 Sat 25th Denman to Bulga 65

RH means Road House, some beds, food water, showers, power. 

RA means Rest Area T means toilets G means generator needed

4300 ks 27 ride days

Average 160 per day

18  over 150

7 more over 100

5 or 6 campouts

Darwin to Port Augusta 2700

Port Augusta home 1500

The Touring Team

Riders

 Brad Bates 

 Ian Kidd

 Matt Harris

 Dane Macdougall 

 Tony Farnham 

 Martin Parker 

 John Gillard 

 Noel McCutchan 

 Bob McGuiness

 Gavin Vickers 

 Alan Moyle

 Danny Hanley

 Murray Burr 

 Steve Rae

 Ben Heil

 Jamie Prior

 Jamie O'Connell

 Ross Hayter

 Dale Bates

 Liam Bates

 Mick Tanner 

 Steve McAllister 

21

Support Crew 

  Car 1 Pat O'Hara

  Car 2 Paul Rubie with Scott Moy

  Car 3 

  Car 4  Kenny West Party Bus 

At this stage we are talking, planning, thinking. 

Things that need to be sorted

First Aid Kits

Defibrillator 

Epipens

First Aid Practioners

Sunscreen

Communication 

   Starlink 

   Eperb 

   Car radios 

Vehicles

  1 with Bike Trailer

  2 with Cool Room Pat O'Hara

  3 with Camping Gear

  4 Kennys Party Bus

Generators

Inverters

Cooks Pat O'Hara and Westy

Cooking equipment 

Washing up gear

Eating utensils

Handwashimg station

Bush toilet 

Bike Spares

Bike Tools

Bike Mechanics Rossco and Gav

Lights, especially a reliable rear light

Vehicle/trailer Tools and spares

Camping Gear 

 Chair

Riding Clothes

Bring the essentials you need, it will be hot up north but will get colder after Alice Springs and very cold in the early mornings towards the end.