"You break it down into small bits," said Mr Kidd, 66, who is hoping to raise $10,000 for Newcastle anti-domestic violence charity Got Your Back Sista (GYBS).

"This would fit with people whose lives are devastated by domestic violence and they feel like everything is gone. What seems huge if you break it down and face it with 'I can do this if I do a small bit at a time' - then even the most seemingly huge obstacles you can overcome. It's attitude and doing what's in front of you, rather than getting too far ahead."

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Mr Kidd said he connected with GYBS through Lesa Mason, the president of Hamilton Hawks Rugby Club.

He said he was "in awe" of the charity and said "what they're doing is far far more inspirational than what I'm doing".

"They're helping people rebuild their lives," he said.

"I've had that experience, I've had to basically rebuild my life.

"I got fairly badly mentally ill, I was in institutions three times, I could have killed myself three times. My life exploded into a million pieces and I've slowly been able to rebuild it, but you need help and the fact that these people are helping - I can only imagine when you're in a relationship and you have to leave it because of violence just what a desperate situation it must feel like.

"The fact that they're helping people to rebuild and give them hope, that really strikes a chord with me."

Mr Kidd was medically retired from his teaching career after three students died by suicide in five months.

He attempted to revive a fourth teenager who had self harmed, but they later died.

A fifth student, who he had coached in football, later died of a brain haemorrhage.

Mr Kidd received his PTSD diagnosis in 2006.

"It all hit me at once," he said. "My brain didn't work anymore, I became a different person.

"I was the most calm, relaxed person ever and PTSD is basically an anxiety disorder, you're forever anxious."

He joined a group riding from Cape York to Newcastle in 2007 and has completed another eight rides each over 1000km, including from Broome to Newcastle, Darwin to Port Augusta, Broome to Cape Leeuwin, Cairns to Darwin and Port Hedland to Albany.

He said a 2018 change of doctors and seeing a good psychologist and psychiatrist had helped him "see the light", while exercise, medication and reconnecting with friends had been important parts of his therapy.

In 2019, Mr Kidd and Hunter Academy of Sport cycling coach Ross Hayder completed an unsupported ride - carrying all of their own gear - from Adelaide to Newcastle for Beyond Blue.

His trip from Lake Eyre on March 8 to Mount Kosciuszko on March 21 will be his first solo unsupported ride. He's been cycling four to six hours a day - or between 450 and 600km a week - in preparation and plans to travel at around 20km/h.

"Physically I think with the distances I've set myself I should be relatively comfortable except for the first and last days, they'll be definitely hard, but mentally I want to test myself and see how I go, how I cope with it," he said.

"If you don't try you never know, you don't want to die wondering whether I can do it or not."

He said helping GYBS would be his main motivator, especially on his last day, which is 80km uphill.

"There's no way that's not going to be terribly physically demanding, but I know when I get there I've done a job for those girls and all the people who have put money in... I can't let them down."

GYBS founder and chief executive Melissa Histon said domestic violence was a prevalent problem in the Hunter and around Australia.

"I am in awe that Ian is undertaking such an arduous solo ride across three Australian states to spread our 'I Say NO to domestic violence' message and raise much needed funds for Got Your Back Sista," she said.

"It is going to be a tough ride for him mentally, but just like so many of the women that we help, it's one we know that he will achieve.

"I love that Ian has our back, so let's all have his back and contribute to his fundraising efforts."

DONATE: Visit mycause.com.au

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