Mrs Browne took part in a 700 kilometre bike ride from Ungarie to Melbourne to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) 

“I think we have life-changing experiences on our journey. For me, ride was one of them,” she said. 

“I can honestly say I’ve witnessed the true goodness of humanity.” 

The long trek was, in part, a tribute to former AFL footballer and Ungarie-born Neale Daniher who was diagnosed with MND in 2014. In the years since his diagnosis, he has become a prominent campaigner for the cause. 

The riders raised $120,000 for by the end of the trek. Mrs Browne kicked in just over $11,000. 

In preparation for the longest ride of her life Mrs Browne was cycling 50 kilometres and swimming six days per week. 

“I was cycling six days a week with a rest day on Sundays,” she said. 

“It was definitely one of the harder things I’ve done. I went a little hard on the first day and I realised I needed to pull back a little. From then on, I left at 7am and was able to ride at my own pace,” she said. 

By the third day she felt a real camaraderie with fellow riders. 

“We were all in it together. I remember looking around on the third night and someone saying they could sense how tight knit we were becoming.” 

The group camped at football grounds throughout NSW and Victoria. The hard work and dedication of the volunteers proved a real standout. 

“I can’t speak highly enough of the people who opened their clubs to us. They came out and cooked us food,” she said. 

“Everyone was totally supportive.” 

Mrs Browne says the 20 core riders of the group became tight-knit over the course of the week. She says it extended far beyond what she initially expected. 

“I saw two incidents that have really stuck with me over the course of the week,” she said. 

On one of the opening days of the ride, 50 cyclists joined the group to ride from Ariah Park to Coolamon. The trek is anything but easy. 

“You have a newfound respect for the hills coming into Coolamon when you’re on the back of a bike,” she said. 

A father-son duo were among the group. 

“Jacob Harper, who was eight years old was joined by his farther who had a broken collarbone,” she said. 

“By the end of the day we’d all arrived in Coolamon, but we were still waiting on Jacob and his Dad.”

She described how two cyclist, one in his 70s, rode out to meet the pair. They cycled the remaining hills together. 

“We all waited collectively as a group to welcome them in. It was an incredibly touching experience to see this little boy and his Dad with one hand on the handlebar ride into town.” 

“I think my three granddaughters think what their grandmother is doing is a little bit cool,” she said. 

Her eldest granddaughter assisted with posters and good friends came out to Ariah Park to wish her well on the day. 

“I was so touched to have friends come and meet us on the day. It’s a long drive,” she said. 

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She also had school friends meet her at Seymour and Lockhart. 

“There was such an outstanding response every time I shared photos or my progress on Facebook or with friends.” 

At the end of 700 kilometres, Mrs Browne said she knew it was time to call it a day for certain types of bike rides. 

“I’m realistically saying I think this is the last long ride ride of it’s type that I’ll do,” she said. 

“Though I can’t rule anything out. I think this ride was a beautiful kind of swansong.” 

Though she wants to make it clear, this isn’t the end of her cycling career. 

“I’ve given myself a rest this week, but I can’t rule out that I won’t be back on the bike come Sunday.” 

To donate or to learn more, visit https://support-fightmnd.everydayhero.com/au/ruth-browne