- Departed: Perth, Western Australia – 16 March 2026
- Destination: Geelong, Victoria
- Distance: Approximately 4,000 kilometres
- Format: Solo and unsupported
- Approach: No fixed schedule - guided by conditions, progress and endurance
A remarkable test of endurance, resilience and purpose is now unfolding on roads stretching across the Australian continent, with 67-year-old Damien Kelly currently riding solo from Perth to Geelong - a journey of approximately 4,000 kilometres - in honour of Callum and Jake Robinson.
Having departed Perth on 16 March 2026, Kelly is undertaking the ride completely unsupported, carrying all his own equipment and relying on his own planning, adaptability and determination to navigate one of the most demanding long-distance cycling routes in the country.
There is no set schedule. No support vehicle. No fixed daily target.
Just one rider, one bike, and a commitment to keep moving forward - one day at a time.
A Journey Beyond Distance
While the scale of the physical challenge is significant, Kelly is clear that the ride is about far more than distance.
“This isn’t about ticking off kilometres - it’s about purpose,” Kelly said.
“I wanted to challenge myself, yes - but I also wanted to do something meaningful. Something that reflects what really matters.”
“Like so many Australians, I was deeply affected by what happened to Callum and Jake. Their story stays with you. It makes you think about your own family, your own children and grandchildren, and how quickly everything can change.”
“This ride is my way of honouring them - and supporting something positive in their name.”
Kelly says the early stages of the ride have already delivered the full spectrum of the experience - physical fatigue, mental tests, moments of doubt, but also clarity, perspective and connection.
“Out here, everything simplifies. You wake up, you get on the bike, and you deal with what the day brings.”
“Some days it’s headwinds and long, hard kilometres. Other days it’s the quiet beauty of the landscape, a sunrise you didn’t expect, or a conversation with someone in a small town that reminds you how generous people can be.”
“There’s nowhere to hide - but there’s also nowhere else you’d rather be.”
Honouring Callum and Jake
The ride is dedicated to the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation, established in memory of Callum (32) and Jake (31), who, along with their friend Carter Rhoad (33), were tragically killed while travelling in Mexico in 2024.
In the wake of this unimaginable loss, the Foundation was created to channel grief into action - with a mission to help others “Live Bigger, Shine Brighter and Love Harder”.
Kelly’s journey reflects these values in action.
It is about resilience in the face of adversity.
It is about choosing purpose in the face of loss.
And it is about demonstrating the strength of community, compassion and connection.
Through this ride, Kelly aims to raise awareness and funds for the Foundation, while ensuring that the legacy of Callum and Jake continues to inspire others across Australia and beyond.
The Road Ahead
The journey from Perth to Geelong is one of Australia’s great endurance challenges - spanning vast distances, remote landscapes and long, often unforgiving stretches of road.
- Departed: Perth, Western Australia – 16 March 2026
- Destination: Geelong, Victoria
- Distance: Approximately 4,000 kilometres
- Format: Solo and unsupported
- Approach: No fixed schedule - guided by conditions, progress and endurance
Kelly is carrying all essential supplies - including clothing, tools and equipment - and will rely on towns and roadhouses along the way to rest, refuel and regroup.
The ride will take him through a constantly changing landscape - from coastal roads to remote inland highways - with each day presenting new variables, from weather and terrain to physical fatigue.
Over time, the cumulative toll of consecutive long days on the bike will become one of the greatest challenges of the journey.
But it is a challenge Kelly has embraced.
“There’s a rhythm to it,” he said.
“You stop thinking too far ahead. You focus on the next stretch, the next town, the next day. And before you know it, you’ve come further than you thought possible.”
A Solo Ride, Backed by Community
While the journey is being undertaken alone, Kelly is quick to acknowledge the role of the broader community in supporting the ride.
“This might be a solo ride, but it’s not a solo effort,” he said.
“There are so many people behind this - following along, supporting the cause, spreading the word. That support matters more than people realise.”
“It’s what keeps you going when the days get tough.”
The ride is already drawing interest from supporters across Australia, with many following along in real time and contributing to the Foundation.
Follow and Support the Journey
Members of the public are encouraged to track Damien’s progress, share the story and support the cause:
- Live Tracking: https://share.garmin.com/Damiensride
- Donations: Supporting the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation, via https://www.cjrfoundation.com/donate
- Damien on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damienkelly79/
About Damien Kelly
Damien Kelly is a 67-year-old retiree from Western Australia undertaking a solo, unsupported cycling journey across Australia. His Perth to Geelong ride reflects a lifelong belief in challenge, resilience and community - and a commitment to using personal endeavour to support meaningful causes.
ENDS
For more information or to support the Callum and Jake Robinson Foundation, please visit:
www.cjrfoundation.com
Contact details:
David Tasker
Chapter One Advisors
T: 61 433 112 936
E: [email protected]