Cyclists stop over in Grafton during 3200km charity ride

EMBARKING on a 3200km bike ride would be impressive at any age, but at 69 it is amazing.

GOOD CAUSE: Bob Montgomery and his team at one of the stops on their way to Port Douglas.

EMBARKING on a 3200km bike ride would be impressive at any age, but at 69 it is amazing.

Former competitive cyclist and squash player Bob Montgomery, 69, left Katoomba on December 1 for a month-long cycling trek to Port Douglas.

Mr Montgomery embarked on the journey to raise awareness and money for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

He plans to travel 150km each day with only three rest stops scheduled along the way, including one in Grafton.

He and his team will arrive in the city this afternoon for a two-night stay to replenish for the long journey ahead.

Mr Montgomery has known several people with MND over the years, including his cousin who was diagnosed earlier this year.

MND is the name given to a group of diseases where the nerve cells controlling the muscles enabling movement, speech, breathing and swallowing gradually degenerate and die.

The disease reduces a person's ability to walk, speak and breathe and often results in death within 27 months.

Each day at least one person dies from, and another is diagnosed with, MND in Australia.

Mr Montgomery said he was putting his energy into the cause to raise funds and awareness for those who were suffering.

"You see people with it and you think 'it can't be much worse than this'," he said.

Bob has raised around $15,000 and hopes to reach his target of $50,000 by the time he arrives at his destination in late December.

All donations will go towards equipment to assist MND sufferers and their carers as well as towards scientific research into the disease.

Originally published as Cyclists stop over in Grafton during 3200km charity ride