South Yunderup great-grandmother Paula Prynne will prove age is no barrier while raising money for the Children's Leukaemia and Cancer Research Foundation when she cycles her way from Subiaco to Augusta next month.
The 80-year-old local will be riding a whopping 600 kilometres over six days as part of the annual South West Bike Trek, setting out from the charity's base on October 13.
I think a lot of it is about having a sense of purpose.
- Paula Prynne
From there she and her group of fellow cyclists will hit the road bound for stops in Fairbridge, Preston, Harvey, Eaton, Busselton and Margaret River before finally ending their course in Augusta.
For Prynne, who has been cycling just short of two years now, it will be her longest ride to date.
But the Mandurah Over 55 Cycling Club member holds little nerves, claiming her training has put her in good stead.
"I'm not overly nervous at all, no," she said.
"I've been training quite thoroughly for this, riding roughly 250kms per week, and I'll be riding with a group so it's completely safe.
"It's not compulsory for participants to finish the ride but I'm quite confident I can get it done."
Prynne took up cycling as a means to improve her overall health back in 2017, with the hobby quickly becoming a passion.
She completed her first charity event after participating in the Great Ocean Ride last year, and plans to make raising money for a worthy cause through cycling an annual tradition.
"I think a lot of it is about having a sense of purpose," she said.
"I find cycling gives me something to look forward to and I honestly just love it.
"And if I can take the thing I love doing and use it to raise money to help these kids that might be going through hell, then that's all the better.
"My family are all extremely supportive so that helps a lot too."
Prynne rides with the Mandurah Over 55 Cycling Club twice a week, while carrying out her own 40km rides almost daily.
It's a testing workload, but she's adamant she has no plans to slow up just yet.
"I'll keep doing it for as long as I can," she said.
"It's a real sense of achievement that I find invaluable."
To find our more about the 2019 South West Bike Trek's cause, visit childcancerresearch.com.au
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
