MOUNT Martha resident Richard Hunt likes to push his limits, and a 300 kilometre bike ride around the bay is just the thing to do it.
On Sunday 9 October, under the banner of Around the Bay 2022, Hunt will ride 300 kilometres to raise money for The Smith Family to kelp young people in need.
Although riders can choose shorter sections of the ride, Hunt will attempt the whole 300 kilometres and says he feels confident he can make the distance.
Every year, the 300km loop challenges hundreds of the most seasoned riders while giving the full experience of Port Phillip Bay.
“I decided to come on the ride because it’s a great cause I and like bike riding. It also gives me the chance to ride over the Westgate bridge,” he said.
“My advice for first timers is to do a bit of training ride at your own pace and make sure you eat and drink”.
“When I was younger I used to ride from Mornington to Rosebud, sometimes even further every second or third weekend on a road bike. Now I’ve got a mountain bike and I ride at Red Hill and Lysty (Lysterfield).
“One in six Australian kids are growing up in disadvantaged homes, where even the basics in life are hard to come by. But by supporting their education, they can break this cycle of disadvantage,” he added.
Since 1993 The Smith Family has been the official charity partner of the event. Riders have raised more than $12 million to help change the lives of more than 20,000 disadvantaged children through education. Funds raised by Around the Bay riders will help to provide these children with practical essentials like school books, shoes, bags, uniforms and the support they need to keep up at school and realise their full potential.
First published in the Mornington News – 20 September 2022
