WHEN former Warrnambool man Michael Ryan used to cycle from Emmanuel College to his Simpson Street home as a schoolboy, the Raglan Parade hill near Fletcher Jones seemed “massive.”
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now, as part of the Pedal for Prostate cycling team riding from Adelaide to Geelong this week, Mr Ryan is looking forward to tackling the same hill today full of vim and vigour and the fitness he has gained riding from Adelaide.
He boosted that fitness yesterday, riding 176 kilometres from Mount Gambier to Warrnambool against a strong headwind to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Mr Ryan is one of 15 Victoria Police officers in the 17-member team that has so far raised $23,500 towards its $25,000 fund-raising target.
Team spokesman Dave Vernon, of Geelong, said the team had chosen the Prostate Cancer Foundation as the beneficiary for the ride because all members were in the 40-59 years age bracket — a time when they needed to be most aware of the risk of the disease.
A number of riders have been directly affected by prostate cancer.
Mr Vernon said many team members were regular cyclists but others, such as himself, had to get fit in recent months for the challenge.
He said the team had enjoyed great support from the public on the ride from Adelaide, with many people donating to the cause.
Swintons Supa IGA supermarket also supported the team by donating lots of the energy food sought by cyclists when the team reached Warrnambool yesterday.
The six-day ride aims to reach Geelong on Friday.
People wanting to make a donation to the team can do so through its p4pcancer.com website.
