A group of south-west cyclists will put their legs on the line when they ride to Melbourne in a day to help raise money for charity group Big Life.
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The training clock is ticking for the 15 riders who have signed up for the 290-kilometre Warrnambool to Melbourne charity ride, according to organiser Shane Wilson.
"It's more about doing the iconic Melbourne to Warrnambool, back to front, about always wanting to do the wish-list race," he said.
"I probably wouldn't make it doing the race, so doing the route as a charity ride seemed a good idea.
"The 'Warnie' has been running since 1895, and originally ran from Warrnambool to Melbourne.
"One of our motivations was to do what the old guys used to do, and we won't even be as fast as them.
"(The ride) is something a few of us have discussed for a number of years as a challenge and a fundraising concept.
"To be able to help Big Life build resilience in our next generation of kids is compelling, especially with the issues around mental health."
Riders will start pedalling at dawn on Friday, January 17 from the Warrnambool Civic Green and arrive in Melbourne about 12 hours later.
Mr Wilson said they would travel south of the Princes Highway, likely in three separate groups, until reaching Geelong where they would regroup and finish into Melbourne.
Natasha Cross said she was riding to help raise awareness of mental health issues among youth.
"I want to be able to show my children and others in the community that I am here to support them. I think Big Life is a really worthy cause," she said.
"On my Facebook page I say I don't ride 300 kilometres in a week but people are donating so the challenge is on."
Each rider will raise a minimum of $500, with all of the money raised going to resilience charity Big Life.
Donations can be made to a Go Fund Me page, via the Big Life Warrnambool Facebook site.
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