Ups and downs, but Friend's going the distance to support recovering wife

But as he enters the final stretch of his three-month trip, it's the off-track moments and mini-milestones which ease his aching muscles and tender joints.

Watching wife Kerri Rawlings finish reading her first book since suffering a brain injury 18 months ago or being told his ride is making a difference for families who have been through similar situations resonate with the former ACT Brumbies coach.

All the pain and sweat he's experienced and the mud and dirt he's ridden through on one of Australia's most difficult mountain bike trails is forgotten and Friend begins to smile.

''It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, it has been everything we've expected and more and we've taken so much out of it,'' Friend said.

''You don't see many people out here, but those you do see, virtually everyone has a relationship with someone who has had an acquired brain injury.

''When you hear those stories ... meet those people, it just makes you realise how damaging a brain injury can be and makes our decision to get Kerri [back involved in normal life] the right one.''

Friend is in the last 500km of his 94 days of torture.

After beginning in Cooktown in Far North Queensland, Friend will ride back into Canberra on December 3.

The aim of the ride is to raise awareness for Brain Injury Australia and funds for services.

Kerri suffered two major brain haemorrhages when she fell from her bike during a Capital Punishment race in May last year.

While Friend has been trying to navigate his way home, Kerri has been driving the support vehicle.

After 18 months lacking the self confidence and ability to complete normal tasks on her own, the journey has changed Kerri's outlook on her recovery.

Instead of a list of things she can't do, Kerri now writes down all the things she can do.

In the past she would pick up a book and forget the plot and the characters.

But after being given the book The Slap by a lady at Murphys Creek in Queensland, Kerri has conquered her own mountain.

''I couldn't believe how excited I got when I finished it,'' Kerri said.

''I tried over the last year to pull out different books and then the next time I picked up I would have to re-read it and then you start getting angry because things weren't the same.

''I probably didn't really appreciate what I could get out of this ride, but I can't see the benefits now.

''I'm starting to notice the positive things ... I've found a way to do it whereas for the last year I just wanted everything to be the same and I hadn't worked out I had to adapt better.''

Friend and Kerri will wind their way through outback NSW before eventually rolling into Canberra.

There have been minimal mishaps along the way and they are five days ahead of schedule.

Friend has only found himself lost in the bush and wondering if he'd be able to find his way to the next camp a couple of times.

Despite taking three bikes with him, there have been no mechanical problems and he's still on the same two wheels he started on.

But don't be fooled, the trip hasn't been all smooth. Husband and wife tempers have flared after a long days of riding and driving and there have been plenty of tears.

''We've had heaps of downs, but we've had multiple ups,'' Kerri said.

''In the big picture, the ups far outweigh the downs, but when we've had downs they've been doozies.

''We're less than five hours away in a car ... it's hard being this close but so far away. But I've got more belief in myself now, I can do things, I can be responsible.''