03 December 2025

The Long Ride Home: Lucas Bruening completes 13,500km journey for prostate cancer awareness 

Adelaide theatre technician and endurance cyclist Lucas Bruening completed an extraordinary 13,500-kilometre solo journey around Australia as part of The Long Ride Home in November, raising awareness and funds to support prostate cancer research, care and early detection. 

Lucas’s motivation is both professional and personal. As a theatre technician The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, he witnesses the impact of cancer every day in his clinical work.  

His resolve was further strengthened by the loss of his grandfather to prostate cancer — a connection that shaped his determination to help prevent other families from experiencing the same outcome. 

Departing Adelaide on 1 August, Lucas rode through some of Australia’s most remote and unforgiving landscapes, enduring extreme weather, isolation, physical fatigue and hazardous bushfire conditions, all while championing the message that early detection saves lives. 

One of the most confronting moments occurred near Broome when Lucas encountered a bushfire that had jumped the highway. With thick smoke and dangerously reduced visibility, police closed the road and advised him to seek shelter in a nearby Indigenous community.

There, he was welcomed by locals, spent time learning about their way of life and shared in moments that left a lasting impression before continuing his journey once the highway reopened. 

“It was strange, intense and incredibly humbling,” Lucas said.

“The fires didn’t feel safe at any point, but experiencing such kindness and connection in the middle of that chaos was something I will always remember.” 

Despite limited training before the ride, Lucas pushed through severe physical demands, painful saddle sores and moments of heavy self-doubt.

A particularly challenging stretch near Port Augusta nearly ended the journey, but the support of his family, friends and the wider community motivated him to continue. 

“The ride reinforced that it’s 20% physical and 80% mental,” Lucas said.

“Your mindset is everything in moments like that.” 

Throughout the journey, Lucas met prostate cancer survivors and families impacted by the disease, including men who shared their stories of early detection and recovery, and others who described the consequences of late diagnosis.

These encounters reinforced the importance of awareness and regular PSA testing. 

Lucas’s message to Australian men is clear: “Don’t wait. Prostate cancer doesn’t always show symptoms.

"Have the conversation with your GP, get checked and encourage the men in your life to do the same. Early detection genuinely saves lives.”