PEDAL Power makes dreams come true: The beginning of a journey
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LANI Bullen has brought her younger sister’s dream to fruition.
The 25-year-old spent last night completed her 4961 kilometre bike ride from her home in Tylden, to Broome in Western Australia..
Lani’s younger sister Elke (known as Flea) had long dreamed of completing the epic cross-country road trip when she turned 18.
Flea passed away in 2007 at the age of 16 from Cystic Fibrosis and was unable to fulfil her wish.
Flea’s older sister Lani made the decision whilst on holidays in the Northern Territory in 2012 to honour her sisters wish by completing the epic journey, which she did alongside her fiancé Andy Grant.
Miss Bullen trained for 18 months before starting the ride on April 9, which would have been Flea’s 23rd birthday.
When asked about the magnitude of her efforts on the bike over the past six and a half weeks, Lani found it hard to put into words.
“We finally hit the Broome sign and we knew we had made it,'' she said.
"I cannot describe the feeling of hitting that point. It was so emotional and it was just amazing to have such special family, friends and strangers there to celebrate such a special moment.
‘We have been overwhelmed by the support and even had the Broome Shire mayor Graeme Campbell make a special presentation at Cable Beach today.
“I know Flea was with us today and we will celebrate tonight with fish and chips on the beach as that was all Flea wanted to do.”
‘It’s still sinking in that we are here; thank you to everyone for your amazing support.
“My Mum and Dad have been incredible; without their love, support and belief I wouldn’t be here and my beautiful fiancé Andy – he is just incredible, words can’t say enough about him. Flea was my hero and I hope I made her proud today.”
Lani and Andy made over 900,000 pedal revolutions across their 44 day expedition, passing across three state borders to complete the journey and bring Flea’s dream to life.
Ride for Flea has raised $22,830 of Lani’s $30,000 goal for Cystic Fibrosis Australia.