Cyclist peddles a healthy message

A 34-year-old man cycling his way around the nation has run into quite the headwind, battling the fierce gales of Geraldton.

However, he remains determined to continue spreading a message of health and hope for a better future.

Greg McDermott began his 15,000km journey on September 3 in Sydney, and is now making the long trek down the West Coast before beginning the ultimate test of the Nullarbor crossing.

Pulling into Geraldton, Mr McDermott, from Sydney, said the city was beautiful, and the colonial architecture reminded him of towns in the UK.

As well as seeking a personal challenge, Mr McDermott aims to collect $50,000 for the charity Youth Off the Streets while on tour, and hopes he can encourage people to live healthier lifestyles.

“In January of 2013 I weighed 110kg, I was depressed and drank far too much,” he said.

“I decided after going to a mate’s wedding and couldn’t fit into the vest that fitted me just six weeks before, that I was going to lose some weight.

“I lost 30 kilos in three and a half months, then started doing triathlon.

“I started doing ironman, I did a few of them, and it went from there.”

While Mr McDermott had originally intended to do only the Perth to Sydney ride, at some point in the planning process the trail evolved into a full Australian circuit.

Six months later, with the help of a little crowdfunding, he and partner April Gillies were on the road.

Mr McDermott said his message was all about giving people opportunity — for all Australians to have the opportunity of a healthy lifestyle, and for youth in difficult homes to have the opportunity to follow their dreams.

“When we started looking at Youth Off The Streets, we realised they deal with kids who live on the street and choose to because their home life is so awful,” he said.

“These are literally kids with guns to their heads, parents belting the crap out of each other ... kids who have never had an adult in their lives who hasn’t been drug or alcohol-affected on a daily basis.

“I want to show them them that anything’s possible, this is where I was, this is where I am now, and there’s a whole lot of steps in between, but if you just chip away at it, you can do it.”

Ms Gillies said physical fitness helped people’s mental state.

“Keep setting yourself goals because that’s how you keep yourself accountable, and you stay on the track of this new healthy life which is part of what we’re trying to teach people,” she said.

Mr McDermott has so far raised $12,000 of his $50,000 goal.

Those wishing to donate can do so online through everydayhero.com.