LONG RIDE LEGENDS

CHRIS & GAIL

The first Long Ride was to Darwin in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a great cause. However, a nice guy asked me at Longreach why are you doing this for the RFDS and not for prostate cancer? My reply was 'what is prostate cancer"? So as soon as I got back home, I looked into the PCFA and been supporting them ever since. As a man I did not know anything about my health, that all changed very quickly.

We introduced the concept of the Long Ride in 2004. Since then, we have run 14 successful Long Rides across Australia involving countless people. Riders on this event meet some extraordinary people who will be friends for life. The riders interact with each other to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. We are so blessed to know such people.

Deb & Owen Ansell

We are so humbled and honored to be part of this life experience and to have been able to ride this Great Country with Great People for a Great Cause.

Our involvement with the Long Ride started in 2010 when our neighbour at the time said “I’m thinking of riding to Darwin with a prostate cancer charity”. Owen rode that one alone on his R1200GS and camped in a small tent, while Deb was recovering from her own bout of cancer. But he met so many great people, loved the Long Ride experience and was hooked. Since then, we have been involved in every ride, in one way or another, to this day raising funds and awareness of Prostate Cancer and Mens Health.

Although our involvement in recent Rides has changed due to health reasons, the Long Ride and its people in particular Chris and Gail Dunne will always hold a place in our hearts.

2010 - Darwin - Owen BMW R1200GS

2011 - Sydney - Owen and Deb BMW R1200GS

2013 - Cairns - Owen and Deb BMW R1200GS

2014 – Uluru - Owen and Deb BMW R1200GS

2016 - Margaret River - Owen BMW R1200GS to Nyngan and return (hit a roo, but made it home safely)

2017 - Tasmania - Owen and Deb BMW R1200GS

2019 - Darwin/ Broome - Owen BMW K1200LT, Deb Media Support

2021 - North Queensland – Owen BMW R1200GS led a small group around the state during Covid

2022 - Victor Harbour – Owen and Deb Media Support

2024 - Port Douglas – Owen and Deb Media Support

2025 - Esperance – Owen and Deb Media Planning.

Grant Smith

I have done 9 0f the 14 PCFA rides and loved every one of them. My favourite was probably the first one to Perth. We were only a small crew, around 33 riders, and I have made lifelong friends from this ride. The best bike riding, for me, was the Tassie run. The best Bike riding in Australia! all wrapped up in a little package. I’m so thankful that I was able to be a small part of your vision to do something special for men’s health through the PCFA. To my mates who I met on my first Long Ride, Mick Kimmorley, Trev Tull, Ray Summerville and Glen Birkett, who are also LR legends, and Marilyn S who we met on the Loop Ride, I thank you for your friendship. The one sadness for me was the loss of my riding mate Col Menzies to prostate cancer. Col was one of the best blokes you would ever meet with a wonderful, dry sense of humour and just some one you wanted to be around. We miss him. Again thank you Gail and Chris for your love and friendship. You have both had a big impact on my life. And a final thanks to my wife Judy. Only someone very special could encourage me on my little follies.

Steve O'Brien It started with a little thing. A tattered note pinned on the notice board in the Yarra Glen pub caught my eye were invited to join a fund-raising effort for the RFDS culminating with a Grand Finale in Darwin. That first ride with 330 bikes was the birth of the Long Ride Legend, the start of so many life-long friendships and the beginning of Chris and Gail’s legacy in the belief that everyone can make a difference. So to join this group of strangers for what turned out to be a continuous adventure of a lifetime. To be part of the evolution of where the Long Ride is today, raising awareness, working with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, raising funds for research and hopefully making a difference to someone’s life is a privilege that I’m truly grateful to have and share. And so many friendships – very special

TREVOR TULL In 2007 I rode to Darwin with the first Long Ride age 62. Little did I realise that I would go on every Long Ride that followed including the 2024 ride to Port Douglas age 78. I have been fortunate to ride and share accommodation with some great mates, Ray Summerville, Mike Kimmorley and Grant Smith. I do miss the Newcastle legend Ian Anderson better known as Ando or Pop. He was my inspiration and mentor to bike riding although he passed on all of his bad habits to me. Vale Pop R.I.P We are blessed to have people in Australia like Chris and Gail to inspire and encourage the rest of us to give to and support such a great charity like the PCFA. On a lighter note thanks to everyone (you know who you are) who helped me when my old Harley broke down, ran out of fuel or had parts flying off it.

MARK CURLEWIS A chance encounter with another motorcyclist at a bakery west of Rockhampton and a throwaway comment from said rider about trying the Long Ride, piqued my interest. A bit of research on the Long Ride unearthed a worthwhile cause that I could relate to– raising funds, and awareness for Prostate Cancer. My want to join in on this cause was driven by two factors, having recently lost my father to prostate cancer and the opportunity to ride my bike through this magnificent country of ours. The 2010 ride to Darwin being my first and the 2024 ride to Port Douglas the most recent. Many friends have been made over the time I have been associated with the Long Ride family, I have enjoyed every one of the 10 rides I have participated in so far. I’m looking forward to the Long Ride to Esperance in Oct

PETER SCHILLING I have ridden on 8 Long Rides and was really looking forward to riding once more to one of my favourite places in Australia: Esperance. Unfortunately, due to Sue's health I will not be able to participate in any more rides. I have had so much fun over the years and met some wonderful people. The photograph was taken somewhere on the Nullarbor Plains as we returned from Margaret River in 2016. Chris Osborn and I attended the ANZAC Day march in Robe on the return trip. One of the highlights of our many rides together.

BRIAN HARMSWORTH I've only missed one of the LR since 2010, which was the 2nd CV19 loop around Queensland, looking forward to Esperance and catch up with my interstate friends again.

LEIGH & SAM GESTHUIZEN Samantha Oakley and Leigh Gesthuizen 2016. Margaret River 2017 Tasmania 2019 Darwin 2023 Victor Harbour 2024 Port Douglas. Passionate about supporting men’s health and raising funds for the PFCA, we have travelled almost 38,000 km and raised more than $30,000 over 5 rides. Leigh’s father John was and continued to be our biggest supporter. Passing away 1 month after the Margaret river long ride from prostate cancer , he has opened our eyes to the value of a living an adventurous life with love, happiness and passion. Each ride brings its own challenges, be it physical, mental or emotional. The Long Ride cohort is a supportive and friendly group with a shared interest. The Long ride has opened our eyes to other personal challenges and both living and celebrating every moment of life

ESPERANCE
OCTOBER 2025

LONG RIDE LEGENDS

CHRIS & GAIL

Deb & Owen Ansell

Grant Smith

BRIAN HARMSWORTH I've only missed one of the LR since 2010, which was the 2nd CV19 loop around Queensland, looking forward to Esperance and catch up with my interstate friends again.