Bike route to be the challenge of a lifetime

While many riders may be disappointed the Gibb River Road Mountain Bike Challenge won’t be following the famous road for the whole journey, Conor Murphy is over the moon.

Mr Murphy has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a relentless, life-limiting disease which makes it impossible for him to follow the original Gibb Challenge route.

Now that the challenge is following the Great Northern Highway, Mr Murphy can follow the Xstrata Nickel Rubble Rousers team which is raising money for Muscular Dystrophy Western Australia.

Mr Murphy was diagnosed with the condition when he was three.

He now relies on the care of support workers and family, and requires access to medical equipment.

Mr Murphy said the team was the brainchild of his brother Brendan.

They have already raised $15,000.

“When they decided to do the ride we said we wanted to come along as support,” he said. “The change to the route means I get to follow the guys riding and keep up with them, keep encouraging them.”

He said a boy who lived in Derby also suffered from muscular dystrophy and he was planning to meet up with him before leaving on the ride.

To donate to the team visit http://www.everydayhero.com.au/xstrata_nickel_.