The seven cyclists left Fremantle, Western Australia, on September 1 and arrived in Kiama last Tuesday.

They travelled more than 4000 kilometres and raised more than $12,000 for autism research. Among the group was Kiama’s Graham Tink, who (along with companion Rob Wallace) can now claim to have crossed Australia, on two wheels, from west to east and north to south. 

‘‘In 2009, Rob and I did the Gulf to Gulf ride from Port Augusta to Karumba and he said he had five mates who wanted to do this ride so I thought I’d give it a go,’’ Mr Tink said. 

‘‘It’s for a good cause as well – a few of the people on the ride have grandchildren with autism – and thought it would be a good way to raise some money for research.

‘‘They had a target of $15,000 and so far have raised $12,000, which is a great effort.’’

Mr Tink is the principal of Illaroo Road Primary School and used the ride as a fund-raiser for the school.

“It’s been something I’ve wanted to do and I thought it was something that would be a great way to give back to the school and the students,’’ he said.

‘‘Our school motto is ‘reach for the sky’ and I thought this was an example of that and maybe a way to give the kids a bit of inspiration. 

“When the students found out they jumped on board and it became a great fund-raiser.

‘‘They said they would try and raise a dollar in sponsorship for every kilometre I ride and they would race me to $4000 – they beat me pretty easy and raised over $4000 which is great,” he said.

Averaging about 150 kilometres a day,  the ride was “tough”.

“I think the others were a little fitter than me. Going through areas like the Nullabor is tough, it gets pretty monotonous and we were going in to some stiff headwinds, but we had a great support crew with us, which made things a bit easier.”