Nic Tremaine is covering 40,000km on his bike to fundraise for Dementia Australia. Photos: Supplied.
Ticking off day 91 of his year-long, 40,075km adventure, Nic Tremaine called in to Echuca-Moama on Tuesday, April 1.
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Nic is cycling around the country on his Distance 4 Dementia ride, traversing Tasmania’s mountains, far north Queensland’s rainforests, the vast outback and, of course, the mighty Murray on his travels.
With a goal of raising $1 million for Dementia Australia, Nic is spending 365 days on his bike.
Not afraid of a challenge, Nic — who hails from Kangaroo Island — has previously trekked 8300km in 44 days from Perth to Sydney for the same cause.
This trip ups the ante, both in distance and in Nic’s fundraising goal.
“There aren’t many people I haven’t run into that haven’t had a family member or a friend who has had dementia,” Nic said.
“It is very widespread, and it affects so many people.”
Dementia Australia is an important cause for Nic, whose mother was diagnosed with the disease in 2019.
“My main motivation is my mother,” he said.
“She was diagnosed with dementia back in 2019, and she now lives in full-time care.
“I’ve also got my uncle who was diagnosed in ‘21, and he’s also in full-time care now.
“Then there’s a huge number of other Australians that have it as well.”
Distance 4 Dementia cyclist Nic Tremaine with Echuca Lions Club president Frank Ross. Photo: Supplied.
Heading north, Nic crossed the NSW-Victorian border at Echuca-Moama, paying a visit to the Echuca Lions Club while in town.
He attended the club’s Tuesday dinner meeting, and stayed with one of its members before his 170km journey on April 2 to Wangaratta, the start of his ascent into the High Country.
“It was amazing, obviously, doing the Murray,” Nic said.
“A challenging day riding up into the Snowy Mountains, but still spectacular.
“I managed to get to the top of Mt Kosciuszko.”
Ideally, at the end of each day, Nic pitches his tent or arrives at his accommodation, has a warm shower and eats as much food as he can.
Along the ride, Nic is camping, or — where possible — staying with generous locals from organisations like the Lions.
“I reached out to the Lions for their support, some have offered donations towards the cause, which has been fantastic,” he said.
“I was mainly asking for support with accommodation to keep the cost low.
“Either with a member or at some other pre-arranged accommodation.”
Speaking to The Riv on day 113 from Gladstone, Queensland, Nic has about 250 days to go.
He is excited to travel up north, seeing parts of the country he hasn’t visited before.
“Uluruis on the list of things to see,” Nic said.
“I’ve never done the top end of Australia before, so pretty much anything I go past up here is something I’m looking forward to.”
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