They performed well and partnered with other academy students, and did the leg work for the GrainCorp Gamarada team, to help raise raise $9621. Inverell riders came first from all the Clontarf participants, though it was not about competition; it was about support.

Inverell Clontarf operations officer Shane Edmonds and seven boys completed a 60 kilometre leg of the ride. Clontarf director Dave Koch drove their support vehicle and was proud of the team.

“Oh, mate, it was amazing. You know, it’s for a sensational cause, Multiple Sclerosis and our boys aren’t big bike riders,” Koch said.

“To ride 60kms, it was really hot, through hot winds through the national park, it was amazing to see the young fellows putting in.

Edmonds said all the boys finished within 20 minutes of each other.

 “They handled it great. It was a great ride for a good cause, of course,” he said.

Student Baily Cosgrove went on the 2013 ride and said it was worth the effort.

“It helps Clontarf out a lot. Makes you feel a bit better, helping people,” he said.

Matt Edmonds said riding beside a disabled woman on a three-wheeled bike was memorable.

It might have brought home the meaning behind the ride that saw over 10,000 people climb on a bike and raise close to $3 million for research and support for those with multiple sclerosis.