THE idea of riding a bicycle 590 kilometres within a week does not faze Werribee resident Richard Hawkey.

The cycling enthusiast, 66, will take part in the 2010 RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride from Yarrawonga to Marysville later this year.

The ride will last several days and the cyclists will have to pedal through the countryside.

This is the first year Mr Hawkey will take part in the race.

“I decided time waits for no man and I’d better get on with it before my time runs out,” he said.

Mr Hawkey also rides with the Melbourne-based Council on the Ageing cycling group and is a member of the Bay West BUG (Bicycle User Group).

“With the Great Victorian Bike Ride coming up, I ride at least once a week,” he said.

“I try to ride over 50 or 60km every time, but it depends on the weather.”

When he was a student, Mr Hawkey used to ride a bicycle from Surrey Hills to Box Hill.

“It was ride to school or don’t go to school,” he said.

He took up riding again when he moved to Werribee and discovered the bicycle tracks near Skeleton Creek.

“My wife says, ‘Don’t you dare ride on big roads,’” Mr Hawkey said.

“I will bike ride as long as possible, while I’m fit enough to do so.”

The grandfather will also participate in the Around the Bay in a Day ride in October, to raise money for the Smith Family.

See http://www.bv.com.au or www.greatvic.com.au for more information.