The Tour de OROC team may be on bikes, but they’re flying through each leg of the six day ride, with pedals having already hit the road on day five.

After spending the first two legs of the journey with Olympian Brad McGee and later with Olympian Sara Carrigan, the next guest on the tour was perhaps a little less prepared, but just as enthusiastic. 

“The Mayor of the Walgett shire actually rode with us from Walgett to Lightning Ridge, and he is not a cyclist,” Chair of the Rotary Club of Dubbo South Tour de OROC Ben O’Brien said. 

“Jasen Ramien turned up in a pair of footy shorts and an old t-shirt while we were all in our fancy lycra gear.”

Walgett Shire Council Mayor Jasen Ramien making his way to Lightning Ridge. (Walgett Shire Council)

“Much to our amazement, he made it all the way to Lightning Ridge which is 86 kilometres, so not a trivial undertaking,” Mr O’Brien said. 

After landing in Brewarrina on day four of the tour, the team had well and truly gotten into the rhythm of the ride, with nothing praised as much as a tailwind on their journey.

“It makes the riding really nice. For some of us in that faster group, we were pushing some high speeds for a while for amateur cyclists, around 37-38 kilometres per hour.”

Each night of the journey has become both a valuable learning and valuable fundraising opportunity, as well as a way of getting to know the people that Macquarie Home Stay - which the ride raises funds for - really benefits. 

The group has had tours of local museums, the Brewarrina Fish Traps, swam in Walgett’s pool for some relief, and heard from inspiring speakers, including the Olympians who had joined them on the journey.

Olympian Sara Carrigan offering a show and tell with her medals.

In the nights, the cyclists were treated to a visit from some loud locusts in Walgett, to a shared experience throwing out swags in Brewarrina’s Community Youth Centre. 

With a bold fundraising goal of $250,000, the Tour de OROC team have racked up some big funds over their trip. 

“Last time we raised $166 thousand to hand over to the Macquarie Home Stay,” Mr O’Brien said. 

Set up for a good sleep after a long day on the bike.

“On top of that, we’ve been raising money at these functions we’ve been having, and selling tickets for the Rav4, which are starting to run out.”

Noteworthy recent donations include $3000 from the Brewarrina Shire Council, over $4000 from the Lightning Ridge community, $9500 raised in Walgett and $10000 in Coonamble. 

“At this point in the journey, the best way to support us is to buy raffle tickets,” Mr O’Brien said. 

Due to arrive in Bourke tonight, the Tour de OROC team will see the finish line in Cobar tomorrow.