If you heard a few more motorbike engines roar in Mount Isa then is usual for a Wednesday evening or Thursday morning there was a good reason.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Almost 300 Long Riders from every part of the country spent the night in town.
Ride founders Chris and Gail Dunne said the Long Ride was a motorcycle charity event supporting the Prostate Cancer Foundation Australia to raise awareness of prostate cancer and men's health matters.
"We have almost 300 motorcyclists travelling from all parts of Australia, through regional Australia to raise awareness of men's health issues," Mr Dunne said.
"All our riders are doing this because they want to make a difference in the lives of others.
"Prostate Cancer kills more men in Australia than breast cancer kills women, men need to get checked."
Mr Dunne said the prostate cancer test was now just a simple blood test which should be done with an annual medical check.
"Years ago I was in a bad place and I said to my son I'm going to Darwin, he said why don't you contact people and do it with them," Mr Dunne said,
"That year we had 330 people and we did for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
"Someone at Longreach said to me, why are you doing it it for the RFDS, why not do it for prostate cancer, I said, what's prostate cancer?
"I thought, yeah, that's a great cause I'm going to promote men's health."
They have organised the ride since 2007 and this was the third time they have been through Mount Isa.
"Last night we had a night off and let everyone feed themselves," Mr Dunne said.
"Today we have 680km to ride to Tennant Creek."
The first pack of riders gathered at Government House in Sydney on May 11 before the whole ride assembled in Narrabri, then Roma and Barcaldine with a rest day in Winton.
From Tennant Creek they head to Katherine and then Darwin on Saturday May 18 before the ride finishes in Broome a week later.
While you are here subscribe to our weekly email to your inbox at 6am every Friday