David Batterham on gruelling 1000km dementia ride across southwest Qld

After his mother was diagnosed with dementia, Goondiwindi man David Batterham left home on a gruelling 1000km journey across southwest Queensland in a bid to make a big difference.

Goondiwindi man David Batterham begins his gruelling 1000km bike trek to raise awareness for dementia, 11 November, 2021

When David Batterham began his 1000km trek across southwestern Queensland, he knew it was much more than a test of physical endurance - it was also about people and conversations.

After his first day of riding, the Goondiwindi man had already run out of water.

He’d left his wife and home on November 6 with just a pushbike and a few provisions for the gruelling journey across sparse and arid country.

Mr Batterham invited friend and fellow rider Jackie Mann to join him on the first leg through to Westmar. After a bad accident on her bike the year before, David hoped the 113km trek might help her overcome hesitations.

She was his first riding companion on his trek, but certainly not his last.

“I’ve met a whole heap of people,” he said.

Most have showered him in kindness and are bewildered by the 55-year-old’s staggering journey.

Mr Batterham’s destination is Charleville, more than 500km from Goondiwindi, where he’ll stay for a few days before turning around and cycling back home.

The journey across remote southwestern Queensland has been years in the making and was inspired by something close to his heart.

“My mother has dementia. She doesn’t know who I am anymore,” he said.

Mr Batterham said he wished he took signs of his mother’s illness more seriously when they first arose.

“We missed them at the start,” he said.

“You just brush it away and ignore it.”

Mr Batterham stopped at Begonia State School, 70km outside of St George, on day three.

“There were only eight kids there,” says David.

“I had a yarn with them and just told them what I was doing.

“In every town I’ve come to, everyone is just so welcoming.”

He’s received a free massage in Morven, a meal and accommodation in Mitchell, and countless offers on the road for water and assistance. Many others have also donated to his cause.

The rider’s goal is to raise $7000 for Dementia Australia and has almost reached the mark.

Once he reached Roma, Mr Batterham’s son Kurt will join him from Toowoomba for part of the final leg, which will take a dog-leg route past Roma and Mitchell.

Goondiwindi man David Batterham, left, with his wife Judy Batterham as begins his gruelling 1000km bike trek to raise awareness for dementia, 11 November, 2021

Mr Batterham said he had been able to soak up the glorious country Queensland landscape during his travel.

“I’ve seen county’s still in drought. I’ve seen creeks that are running,” he said.

“And, there’s been some absolutely stunning flowers.”

Donations can be made to David’s campaign on the Dementia Australia website.

Originally published as David Batterham on gruelling 1000km dementia ride across southwest Qld