Jack “Ultra-Cyclist” Thompson

After reaching another herculean milestone of riding end-to-end the 1,067km Munda Biddi Trail and smashing out a new world record time, OSC Jack “UltraCyclist” Thompson is coming back to Perth on June 6th to share his inspirational journey in a prolific short film – Munda Biddi Dreaming

Tell us what Munda Biddi Dreaming represents, and what inspired you to embark upon this very unique challenge?

I’ve been fortunate enough to turn my passion of ‘riding a bike’ into a full-time job and now undertake extreme projects around the world where I look to break ultra distance world records. The recent Munda Biddi Dreaming project was extra special because I was able to do it on home soil in front of friends and family.

Growing up and all throughout my school life I suffered from (and continue to suffer from) depression. I made it my mission back in 2016 when I commenced my professional cycling journey, to use it not only for my own health and prosperity, but to also spark change in other people’s lives too. Each project I undertake has an ‘extreme cycling’ element, but also a ‘mental health’ element.

The Munda Biddi Dreaming project in collaboration with co-naming rights partner Oqea, saw me break the Munda Biddi ‘End to End’ record (1,067km in 2 days, 12 hours and 15 minutes) and then visit schools along the trail as I made my way north, presenting to roughly 5,000 children around the importance of having a dream. The record itself gave me a great media platform to share the more important messaging around depression and allowed me to connect with children and inspire them about the endless possibilities in life. The feedback we received from the community was incredible and so I’m excited to finally release the film to the public!

Riding for two days straight, through the night and unassisted must have been physically and mentally gruelling. How did you prepare for such a challenge?

While there are times of absolute bliss throughout any of these projects, the nature of these records is that they just hurt, both physically and mentally. I’m based in Spain, about an hour north of Barcelona and have a team of coaches, doctors and physical specialists around me that help me prepare for these events; it’s certainly not a ‘solo’ endeavour, despite actually ‘riding’ alone.

I spent four months preparing for this project. I’m on the bike 6 days a week as well as being in the gym twice a week. I’m at the doctor every two weeks just making sure my blood values are safe given the training load and stress on my body and then on calls a couple of times a week to help orchestrate the project itself. I love it all! The cycling, the gym, the non-bike work on the phone, it keeps me rounded as opposed to being a one-dimensional athlete.

Did you come up against any unexpected hurdles?

This project was way harder than I thought it would be, just because of the weather we experienced. I undertook the ride in November 2023, mid-way through an extreme heat wave. Temperatures were in excess of 38’C for the entirety of the ride and so finding enough water, keeping cool and hydrated and making sure I literally didn’t cook myself, were constant battles. Due to the nature of the project and the school visits we had scheduled for the following week, it wasn’t possible to reschedule!

Another challenge arose midway through the second night down towards Walpole. Because of the heat, I had fallen a little behind my schedule and as a result, the shops I’d earmarked as re-supply points were closed. This had me riding for hundreds of kilometres with only my emergency supplies. By the time the sun did finally rise, I was in a world of hurt and battling into 60km/hr head winds. During the final 8 hours, I took two 10-minute power naps on the side of the road and this was enough to recharge my batteries and get me to the end ahead of record time.

What was your best memory of Munda Biddi Dreaming?

Without a doubt, the school activation component of the ride and presenting to the children around my own mental health battles and the toolbox I’ve built to overcome the dark times.

The cycling component is fun, I enjoy it and it keeps me sane, that’s my passion, but I feel as though my purpose is in helping others and the activations with children just re-affirms that. A highlight for me was also presenting to the boys at Scotch. I remember being in their position 20 odd years ago and can still remember the impact guest speakers had on my development into adulthood.

To stand on that same stage and chat with the boys about my life highs and lows, was very special.