Community & Business
4 May, 2026
Riding west for mental health
A group of 34 cyclists riding from Brisbane to Longreach this week to raise funds for the Wellbeing Out West mental health program run by the Royal Flying Doctors Service, stopped in at Oakey last Friday (April 24th).
The riders were warmly welcomed at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, which has become a customary stop at the end of their first day.
A group of students from St. Ursula’s College were there to support their PE teacher.
The trip, RideWest, is a 1,311 kilometre biennial bike ride over 8 days from Brisbane to Longreach.
Over the last 16 years, this ride has raised over $2.6 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service so that it can deliver its Wellbeing Out West program.
Two Royal Flying Doctors nurses, two mechanics and safety car drivers are on hand to support the ride.
This year, the riders avoided the Warrego Highway for much of the first half of their journey.
Portions of the second leg from Oakey to Chinchilla were unsealed, causing some punctures which were quickly fixed by mechanics.
Nurse Kathryn Gregory, completing her third RideWest, says she rides for the camaraderie and the benefit it has on rural and regional communities.
“This was the best first day I’ve had so far, it was the best conditions, the peloton were all fit and safe,” she said.
“It’s been amazing to see the impact in improving lives that Wellbeing Out West is achieving.”
Ms Gregory was greeted in Oakey by her sister-in-law Annie and friends.
The riders are scheduled to complete their trek and arrive in Longreach on Friday, May 1st.
