Enduring 930km on a bike for charity

He is taking part in the Future2 Wheel Classic, organised by the Financial Planning Association of Australia, with funds raised helping Aussie kids doing it tough, and other not-for-profit projects across Australia focusing on financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service and mentoring.

Mr Win, from Profile Financial Services based in Parramatta and the city, has been training hard in preparation, and not without incident.

He sustained a puncture on the M2 and, caught without a repair kit, he used an empty energy gel packet to cover the hole, nursing the bike 20km back to the car.

A mountain bike rider for 25 years, Mr Win only bought his road bike in April, when he commited to the 930km ride.

“I’ve always wanted to do a charity ride,” he said.

“I see this as a great opportunity to combine my love of cycling with giving back to the community.

“I’m looking forward to catching up with other riders and going to visit the people that have received the grants [from funds raised by the ride] in the past and see what they have been able to do.”

After some light-hearted banter from his mountain biking friends about shifting to “the dark side”, Mr Win was adamant, “I’m not going to be shaving my legs, it just happens to have shinier wheels and is a bike that goes faster.”

The 43-year-old is not too concerned about going the distance – he rides three times a week and goes to the gym – but, “hopefully the argument between my bottom and my seat isn’t too argumentative,” he said.

The circular route leaves Perth on November 17, travelling through the picturesque Margaret River area, and returns six days later.

After that he’ll test his legs on the 157km L’Étape Australia in the Snowy Mountains, designed to provide an experience like the Tour de France.

Mr Win has already raised almost $6000 for the Future2 Wheel Classic. To donate visit: https://wheelclassic2016.everydayhero.com/au/phillipwin.