26/09/2025
MARGARET River resident Johno Dane is joining his mate Kenny for a special bike ride aimed at raising funds and awareness to help protect the forests of the South West.
The pair will take on the 1067km Munda Biddi trail on a tandem bicycle - making their way from Mundaring to Albany over a 3-week period.
Their goal is to raise funds to support the Western Australian Forest Alliance's campaigns to protect forests from threats across the South West.
"The more time we spend exploring Western Australia, the deeper our connection grows to this special part of the world, and the more we become aware of the challenges it faces: loss of biodiversity, climate change, forest mining, out of date prescribed burning practices, and more," Kenny Ruellot said.
The pair say they plan to have conversations along the way with fellow riders and on social media about the value of protecting WA's forests for people and nature.
"We want to see these special places protected," Johno said.
"WA's nature has given so much to the two of us, and we feel a deep responsibility to protect it in return. We're doing our part to protect them in tandem."
Johno was born and raised on the Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi Country, but now calls Margaret River/Wadandi Country home.
The adrenaline seeker enjoys hiking, skiing, climbing and paragliding, and became friends with French-born Kenny through a shared love of adventure, and the outdoors.
From the heights of the Stirling Ranges Ridge Walk to the depths of Kalbarri Gorges along the Murchison River, their friendship grew, along with their love for WA's natural beauty.
Every year in September, the duo continue their tradition of discovering different parts of WA together, with the journey continuing along the Munda Biddi Trail.
"As part of our ride, we will be cycling through the Northern Jarrah Forests, part of the Southwest biodiversity hotspot, an area under threat from almost every angle.
"These forests are irreplaceable, and once mined, cannot be rehabilitated.
"Further stress from a hotter, drier climate and depleting groundwater only make it harder for this forest to survive.
To follow the tandem-bike ride and donate to their cause, visit two-mates-one-bike.raiselysite.com
