ABUSE survivor Brent Allchorn-Simpson had a rough start to life, and an unfortunately rough start to an epic, 50-day solo cycle through the centre of Australia to Perth, passing through Moree and Bogabilla, racking up 4564 kilometres.
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He will certainly remember the Tenterfield leg of his 50-day adventure to raise awareness and money for mental health issues, after a spill at Tabulam tested his resolve.
After admiring the scenery from the historic timber bridge over the Clarence River at Tabulum, he hit a pothole and came down on the bitumen, scraping up the left side of his body and bending the bike out of shape.
He said he’ll be stiff and sore the next few days of the ride and he’ll be on the backup bike that’s more suited to the Nullarbor, but that’s a good analogy for the life journey he’s been on.
“When you get knocked down, you have to pick yourself up and get going again,” he said.
Brent was mentally and physically abused as a child and after stints in juvenile detention centres and being involved with questionable people including a motorcycle gang, he found himself in prison after being charged with importation of drugs.
“The idea for Heavy Hiterz came to me while I was serving time in prison,” he said.
“The Heavy Hiterz motto is ‘You Are Not Alone’ and I want people battling to understand that there is always someone willing to lend a hand.
“Two inmates who were housed in cells next to me committed suicide whilst in segregation.
It was clear these individuals felt there was nothing to live for, something which resonated strongly with me as I had felt that way many times.
“Following these incidents I decided that something had to be done to help people living with mental illness so they never felt inclined to pay the ultimate price.”
Heavy Hiterz currently offers people help through its social media platforms, where they can talk about the issues they’re dealing with in a supported environment.
“We want people to feel they’re a part of society, and to reach out and show them they’re not alone,” he said. “It’s a community page of like-minded people sharing our journeys, and it works. There’s no-one saying you should be doing this or not doing that.”
Brent was diagnosed with Type 2 Bipolar 15 years ago and admits the ride will force him to face his inner demons many times along the way.
“As a child, I didn’t have any choice but as a man I think what were the trigger points?” he said.
“The things I did destroyed some chemical processes in the brain, and trauma is a trigger point. But you make your own choices as an adult and now I think it’s all been a blessing to have been given these hard times.”
Brent’s support person on the trip, Justin Jansen, said it’s Brent’s background that makes the support he offers so relatable, and he appreciates the opportunity to be part of the ride.
“How can you repay someone who saved your life,” Justin asked.
“He’s made all the difference. I had years of counselling and saw every government agency. It’s useless unless you can really relate to it. I finally understand that I’m wired differently, and I’m not alone.”
Weighing 130 kilos and not a typical looking cyclist, Brent’s been training for 18 months and has conditioned his body by doing regular strength, cardio and altitude training.
“I will need to cycle over 150kms per day to achieve my arrival in to Perth in under 50 days so I have been training six hours a day in and around supporting the members of Heavy Hiterz,” he said. “Through this ride I hope to raise money to help us develop programs and support strategies for those living with mental illness and those who support them.”
Go to heavyhiterz.org to follow Brent’s ride across Australia.