The 61-year-old is honouring his daughter Melody, who died in a car smash on Christmas Eve two years ago at the age of 26.

Some of her vital organs were later transplanted into three people who are now living healthy lives because of the Gough family’s decision to follow Melody’s wishes.

This is Mr Gough’s second long-distance road trip to encourage more people to consider allowing their organs to be used to benefit others.

He was recently referred to as a John The Baptist figure paving the way.

“There are so many misconceptions and myths about this subject,” Mr Gough said.

“I want people to check out the facts, decide to become a donor and then register their intentions.

“Discuss it with your family first because I’m aware of many cases when families around the bedside decide not to respect the wishes of the dying person.”

Melody registered as an organ donor at the age of 17.

Only a few hours before her death she was discussing a forthcoming study trip to Paris and Mr Gough had proposed to buy a motorcycle and travel with her in Europe.

“I decided I would still buy the bike and travel around Australia to honour her,” he said.

“It was my motivation to get back into motorcycling after a break of 25 years while raising a family.”

Last year he rode 5000km around NSW, Victoria and Queensland. This year it’s been stretched another 3000km, starting in Canberra and covering 100 cities and towns in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. He’s due to finish on February 24 for national Organ Donation Awareness Week.

Next year he hopes to reach Perth and Exmouth and Tasmania is chalked in for 2014. He’s paying his own costs, including the purchase of his BMW 1200GSRA and little camper trailer.

Other motorcyclists have kept him company for sections. Andrew Suter, of South Purrumbete, and Mark Hine, of Hurstbridge, accompanied him into Warrnambool yesterday along the Great Ocean Road and then towards Mount Gambier.

Daily briefs on the ride are posted on the webside ODAR.com.au and he can be contacted by email on davidgough@skymesh

He encourages any donations to be sent directly to Transplant Australia.

pcollins@standard.fa irfax.com.au