Patrick Lawson did not have much experience as a cyclist, but that didn’t stopping him agreeing to ride 620 kilometres in five days.
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The Wagga mental health advocate, who started the 3 Words Facebook page, took part in the Break the Cycle – Share the Journey community awareness and fundraising event for World Suicide Prevention Day.
The route took 20 bikes and their riders from Wagga to Hay via Cootamundra, West Wyalong, Lake Cargelligo and Griffith.
Mr Lawson said he “decided to get on a bike” and start training about three months before the ride started, although he had been a regular at the gym for a while before that.
“This was something that was definitely outside my comfort zone,” he said.
On the first day of the ride, Mr Lawson clocked up about 100 kilometres in the saddle, twice the longest distance he had previously cycled in a single outing.
He credits fellow cyclists’ mateship and a “keep moving forward” approach to helping him finish the event.
“In the towns we went through, and out on the road, the reception we got was great,” Mr Lawson said.
The Wagga father of two is already planning to get back on his bike for the 2019 event, but it’s not too late to support the 2018 fundraising efforts.