Ride on: Crockett Cooke in training for the Great Victorian Bike Ride with Skeeter. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 56981
Erin Pearson
WALKING, talking and breathing is a daily challenge for Geelong cycling enthusiast Crockett Cooke.
But it won’t stop him setting out on a gruelling 590-kilometre Great Victorian Bike Ride riding a custom-built tricycle this weekend.
The motor neuron disease sufferer said he was determined to meet the challenge despite his prognosis.
“Doctors say that if you have my condition eventually you’re not going to be able to do anything, so I may as well do as much as I can while I can,” the 49-year-old said.
Mr Cooke was diagnosed with the degenerative neurological condition in 2006 after years of feeling “unsteady”.
He started riding his bike and swimming five times a week to keep fit.
Mr Cooke said he regularly tackled the hills around Leopold on his tricycle with dog Skeeter but his little mate would have to stay home during the great bike ride.
“I think this will be my swan song but I’m tackling this venture with the hope I can finish, the hope I can do it, and I’m really looking forward to it,” Mr Cooke said.
“I am riding a tricycle this year because I had a few falls last year on a normal bike and my condition has got worse but I want to finish the ride.”
Mr Cooke said he hoped to raise $20,000 for charity along the way.
“So far I’ve raised $3000 for the Motor Neuron Disease Association who has been a great support to me, but I hope to raise a lot more,” he said.
Mr Cooke aimed to ride an average 70 kilometres a day between Yarrawonga and Marysville.
The Great Victorian Bike Ride starts Saturday and finishes on December 5.
Mr Cooke said he was accepting donations and sponsorships at www.everydayhero.com.au/crockett_cooke.
