In June of 2003, two cyclists were to leave Darwin, N.T. and ride 9,500km to their hometown of Bairnsdale, Vic.

John Nelson, a 62-year-old plumber and Ted Lowe, a 66-year-old former R.A.A.E warrant officer, were to be riding by way of the west coast of Australia to raise funds for the Bionic Ear Institute.

Funds raised were to be used to further research into development of a dual ear implant, which when fitted to very young profoundly deaf children, would enable them to attend mainstream schooling at the same level as hearing children.

John and wife Kay had raised four children, two of whom were born pro- foundry deaf. So John has been able to recognise the great benefits of this development and what it would have meant to his children had it been available.

John Nelson is a long-time Rotarian and his home club, the Rotary Club of Mitchell River, Vic., endorsed the project as a fund raising effort. John and Ted were to travel by themselves with a trailer attached to their bicycles.

Unfortunately, a week before John and Ted were to leave Bairnsdale for Darwin, John contracted meningococcal meningitis. John lost his legs below the knees, but his determination to ride the West Coast of Australia and to "Help the Children Hear" did not change.

The way he has handled the disability has been encouraging to all members of the Rotary Club of Mitchell River.

On June 13, 2004, John Nelson and Ted Lowe left Darwin on the West Coast Bike Ride except they rode TRI-SLED HPV bicycles and had back-up crew throughout the journey.

District 9820 Governor Ray Martin supported the ride and the majority of clubs along the route provided hosting, publicity, talks to school children and welcomed John and Ted to their towns or cities.

John's illness meant a portion of the funds raised were to benefit the Meningitis Foundation. This would be used to create an awareness of meningitis and assist in the ongoing support to people in their recovery.
A webpage was developed at www.mrrc.org.au/bikeride to keep Rotarians aware of the progress of the West Coast Bike Ride.

Cheers from us all Saturday 13th - Bairnsdale - 64 km . 'The final day!'
On the morningof the 13thNovember 2004, John and Ted were met by thirty-four riders from Bairnsdale, many of who came on the 6.00 am train. Big reunion outside the Catholic School, especially for John, Kay and daughter Andrea and many of their friends. Everyone was thrilled to be there. Local member Craig Ingram MP came to congratulate John and Ted on their amazing ride for such a worthy cause, and John for the inspiration his perseverance and courage would and has been to others.

He wished them a safe journey home and the boys moved off, heading for Meerlieu, with the other riders packed in behind, followed by the police escort, Glen Rawson's truck for any repairs needed en route and support vehicles and cars following along the road.

With a strong tail wind - what a relief it wasn't a headwind - they arrived at the Meerlieu Cricket Club Hall well ahead of time. Local identity Murray Frew already had the urn on when Kay, Val and Mike arrived to prepare morning tea.

Everyone was having a great ride and enjoying the tailwind advantage. Morning tea in the sun outside the hall was extended to avoid arriving too early at the Rotunda. Taking off again, two more riders joined the pack off the roadside; the ride stopping twice and slowing the pace to make sure the 2pm finish time was kept.

A last stop at the Weigh Station outside Bairnsdale for a lunch break and then the rest of John's family and grandchildren, school students and other riders joined them on the road for the final kilometres.

A big crowd was waiting at the Rotunda, cheering as they pulled the bikes onto the lawn. Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jane Rowe, officially welcomed them home and Rotarian Helen Lanigan, Rotary Club President, presented them with a hand drawn 'welcome home' greeting to the accompaniment of some reading reflecting the ride and the landscape they had travelled through along the way. John rose to say thankyou to everyone for coming, especially Ted and Kay for all their support throughout the ride.

It is hard to believe the ride has finished. What next?

A cheque for $45 000 - was presented to Professor Graeme Clarke, Director of Bionic Ear Institute Australia at the Rotary 9820 District Conference in Bendigo. The Institute have created the John Nelson Scholarship to be used to fund a graduate to assist in the research of "Helping The Children Hear"