The Spine Tingling Ride 2023 was officially launched at The Hartley Renaissance House respite home in Canberra on the 20th June 2023. Cherished family friends Dougie and Shelley Whatley flew to Canberra from their home in Humpty Doo near Darwin for the event - and then left on a 5000km road trip to Perth with the support vehicle and gear. The original plan was for Andy to travel to Perth with Dougie - but after staying as a NO-VID for the whole pandemic, Andy had recently finally succumbed to COVID. Shelley answered a late SOS to give Andy some more time to recover - something for which Andy’s appreciation and gratefulness knows know bounds.

Andy flew to Perth on the 24th June followed by his great mate Trent on the 25th to meet up with Dougie - and the three of us started the 1000km drive up to Steep Point for the start.

Andy started the ride at the most western point of the Australian mainland just after midday on the 27th June. He completed the 6850km in 58 ride days - averaging about 120km a day with the shortest (but equal toughest) day being 48km and the longest being 226km. The route west included the Little Sandy, Gibson and Strzelecki Deserts as well as around 1200 sand dunes along the French Line of the Simpson Desert ! Only around 700km of the total ride was completed on bitumen with the remaining 6150km managed on sand, dirt, gravel, mud or anything remotely resembling a track.

Arriving At Cape Byron at 5pm on the 27th August, Andy had broken the Road Record Association of Australia’s time for the solo crossing of Australia on a bike from its western to eastern most points by over 22 days. You can read the Road Record of Australia’s news story HERE

After a brief rest and repair break in Byron Bay, Andy then turned south hugging a coastal route that once again avoided the bitumen wherever possible by sticking to National Park trails, fire trails, bushland and state forests.

The Canberra Airport afforded Andy the unique privilege of riding the Airport tarmac on his way to the finish on the last ride day.

Andy then finished the ride on the 10th September at his Mum and Dads home in Forde (where he started the 2017 ride) amongst family and friends. He was accompanied on bikes by many friends and family for the last 10km - and his Dad rolled in with him for the last km on his powered wheelchair. You can view a wonderful article by Megan Doherty in the Canberra Times HERE

A personal note from Andy

Thank you to all my wonderful supporters, family and friends for helping make a positive difference to so many people living with disability.

A full list of 2023 ride supporters can be viewed HERE

To the support crew;

Dougie - you flew from Darwin to Canberra, drove from Canberra to Perth, then Perth to Steep Point, then followed and supported the entire 6850km ride before flying home. You were away from from home and family for almost 3 months. You did so much more. 20 years ago I met you up in Darwin when I was having a bad day - a day which has become one of the best days of my life. I could not have done this without you my friend and wouldn’t have tried.

Shelley - at a moments notice you flew from Darwin to Canberra and then drove to Perth with Dougie before flying home back home. Then you travelled from Darwin to Byron Bay and supported the ride with Dougie to Canberra. You’re a legend Shelley. Being able to finish the ride with you and Dougie will always be one of the most important and memorable moments of my life.

Trent - you flew from Brisbane to Perth, drove with us to Steep point then followed and supported the ride with Dougie for over 2500km to Kulgera before flying home out of Alice Springs. I was so incredibly happy that you were able to find more time to join the team for a few days as we completed the west to east crossing. Pulling up for a final rest break, chat and turkish delight with you and Dougie - with Cape Byron on the east coast as our view - was one of the most gratifying and emotional experiences of my life. An absolute privilege and honour to share that moment with you my friend.

Nathan and Mark - you blokes drove 2300km from Canberra to Kulgera to provide extra vehicle support for the Kulgera to Birdsville leg which included some of the remotest parts of the ride across the Simpson Desert - before driving another 1900km to get home from Birdsville. You provided so much more than vehicle support. Camp work ethic, humour, food, camp fire, vehicle recovery, comararderie … you were everywhere and all over it. Together with Lloydy and Carol … you took away most of my anxieties about crossing the Simpson and let me stay focused on riding my bike. I’m extremely proud to have you as mates…. and man did i miss those dim sims and dagwood dogs!

Llloydy and Carol - life friends of the family and travel buddies of my mum and Dad. You travelled 1000’s of km to support the ride - twice - from Dalhousie Springs across the Simpson to Birdsville and then again from Eromanga to St George. The welcome I received in Eromanga (which you were responsible for) gave me one of the biggest boosts of positivity and energy I’ve ever experienced. I know my mum and dad were both absolutely delighted and comforted knowing you were with us - and Carol… we smashed through the Simpson Desert thanks to your morning and afternoon snacks ! I’m so very grateful for your support - not just for the ride - but for the love, support and friendship you provide my parents. The chats and memories of dads ‘Ludisms’ were priceless.

Nick - after joining me on the bike in the 2017 ride for a few days I was incredibly happy and appreciative you were able to join me for a few more riding day adventures on this one. Your positive energy is infectious … and was injected into rider and crew just at the right time before crossing the Great Dividing Range. I also greatly appreciate your generosity and the support you rally behind the scenes for the ride. Riding the Canberra Airport runway with you on the last day is definitely one for the memory banks ! I’d ride anywhere and anytime with you my friend.

Together we have all enhanced a unique bond and friendship, created lifelong memories and collectively helped make a big difference to those that we are supporting . Indeed, it was a magnificent collective achievement.

I’m proud to call all of you my friends. Andy xx