Local Pastor Completes ‘The Longest Ride’ in Honour of His Son

After 31 grueling days across some of Australia’s most rugged terrain, Ross Abraham has arrived in Byron Bay, completing The Longest Ride, a 4,300-kilometre solo cycling journey from Perth.

This incredible challenge, which saw Ross battle sand dunes, dirt tracks, harsh outback winds and more than 20,000 meters in elevation, was far more than a physical test. It was a deeply personal mission, driven by love and loss.

Ross and his family launched the charity Beautiful Crazy in memory of his son Jaaden, who tragically passed away after a devastating accident that caused an unsurvivable brain injury. In the wake of that heartbreak, the Abrahams chose to turn their grief into something that would bring light to others.

Beautiful Crazy has seen an overwhelming response from grieving families and grateful hospital staff, growing to support six hospitals across QLD and NSW, with interest from a further four.

96five’s Ken and Nicky spoke to Ross as he was nearing the end of his journey about how he stays motivated through the ups and downs.

“There have been a number of days where I felt like spitting the dummy” Ross said.

“But I just know the comfort that we received when a friend gave us a bag. So I think every kilometre I can push, hopefully we raise the money for another hug and a bag for someone else that’s gonna walk through an ICU experience.”

“I picture my son. I think he’d be pretty chuffed that I’m doing this, and he’d be chuffed that I’m in pain… He’d really like that” Ross joked.

When tragedy struck, Ross said he and his wife Kathy made an intentional choice about how they wanted to respond.

“I think what people often don’t understand about grief… because people say, ‘you move on’… well, you don’t move on from grief, you grow around that.”

“It’s the centre of our life now… but we’re determined to grow a life around it and living with hope, I think is what, for Kathy and I, have got us through every day.  

“I hope that God never wastes a hurt… that anything that happens in our lives – good, bad and ugly – I don’t believe God causes it, but I do believe He can cause it to become something powerful and beautiful to impact the lives of other people.” 

‘The Longest Ride’ finished in Byron Bay on May 21, concluding at a memorial on the side of the road- Jaaden’s accident site.

The Abraham family’s goal is to supply care bags to all Level 6 ICU hospitals. Ross hopes to raise enough funds for 4,300 care bags- one bag for every kilometre he rides.

To learn more and to donate towards The Longest Ride, visit the Go Fund Me.

Listen to the full interview in the player above.

Feature Image: Ross Abraham completing The Longest Ride / Source: All images supplied and used with permission.