One bike, two cyclists, three generations: these intrepid adventurers are about to embark on an epic journey from the steps of Ballarat town hall, in Victoria's Central Highlands, this morning.
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Louise Ginn, a former student of St Aloysius in Redan and Loreto College, has returned to her old stomping ground - this time with her 15-year old son Matthew.
They are aiming to raise thousands of money for CareFlight Australia, a rapid response critical care charity, in a tandem ride all the way to Uluru in central Australia.
No stranger to distances that would daunt most cyclists, Ms Ginn has completed a number of long rides through the Ride4Rescue charity she founded back in 2015.
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However, the ride they set out on today will be her most ambitious journey to date.
"This one is the biggest yet," Ms Ginn told The Courier on Saturday shortly after arriving from her New South Wales home to make the final preparations.
Their aim is to make it all the way to the red centre of Australia by pedal power in 17-days straight.
While many teenagers might hesitate to spend so much time and distance in lockstep with their mother, Matthew said he has no such qualms. In fact, he said it was his idea to up the ante on a previous charity cycle ride Ms Ginn completed with his older brother Nat a few years ago on the same tandem.
They went from Sydney to Mount Kosciusko and back to Wollongong. Matthew said he would only take on a project if the distance was doubled, and a more ambitious fundraising target set.
Matthew chose the charity himself, and they have already secured sponsorship from local companies, including Haymes Paint.
Matthew has also faced additional challenge of recovering from a wrist injury while he was training - and will make the ride with his wrist protected by a brace.
Joining them in support is Barry Conduit - Ms Ginn's father and Matthew's grandfather - who will drive the 2,100 kilometres in an second-hand Mercedes Sprinter. Mr Conduit is 82 years-old, but he needed no convincing to join his family for the journey. "It's very exciting," he said. "I have never been up to the centre of Australia before."
He will share the driving with an old family friend Garry Harrowfield, who is also based in the Ballarat area.
The cyclists will set out for Ararat today, and will average around 135 kilometres each day, with the biggest leg totalling 180 kilometres.
They are scheduled to arrive in Uluru on April 14, where they will have a rest and explore the area before returning home - by plane.
- For more information on the fundraising and the journey, see https://give.careflight.org/ride4rescue.
