Peter Rauert has embraced the theory of getting back on the bike.
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The prominent Warrnambool businessman had a serious accident while riding in a veterans cycling race last June.
In the accident, Mr Rauert broke ribs and a collarbone.
"I ended up with a new hip from it as well so I did a good job of it," Mr Rauert said of the accident.
But this weekend he will be back on his bike treading a familiar path when he takes part in the Murray to Moyne for the 25th time.
Mr Rauert will ride as part of the Warrnambol College team, which is raising money for the paediatric's unit at South West Healthcare.
"I have given up racing but I still love riding socially," he said.
"Cycling has been an important part of my rehabilitation.
"The Murray to Moyne is the perfect event for me, I am hoping to ride between 280-300kms for the weekend."
Mr Rauert remembers his first Murray to Moyne well.
He said the preparation for the event was a lot different to what he does now.
"The first ride I did was part of the Lyndoch team," he said.
"I remember it wasn't as organised as it is now.
"We went to bed at 6.30am on the Sunday morning and had to be back on the bikes riding half an hour later."
A spike in participants has Murray To Moyne organisers excited about the 33rd staging of the annual event.
Murray to Moyne administrator Lou Hollis said numbers were up on last year.
"We had just under 700 last year and we are well above that 700 mark for this year," Ms Hollis said.
"There are always some last minute entries so our numbers are really healthy.
"We have entries from across Victoria and into New South Wales.
"The average number of riders in each team is 10-15 and we have nine teams with over 20 riders.
"Our riders cover a wide range of age groups, we have teenagers, right up to riders who are over 70."
Teams in the Murray to Moyne will ride to raise money for health services and hospitals in their areas.
They will set off on Saturday morning from three locations, Mildura, Swan Hill and Echuca.
There will be an overnight stopover in Hamilton before the final leg on Sunday to Port Fairy.
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