The ‘Cycle 1000 for i98FM Illawarra Convoy’ left Ballina on Sunday, before finishing 1000km later at the Dandaloo Hotel on Saturday. 

One of the riders, Daniel Hotchkis, co-founded the 'Cycle 1000' fundraising organisation with Bianca Starcic.

Seven riders - including five from the Illawarra - took part in the event, which was the group's first fundraiser for the Convoy cause. 

Dapto resident Mr Hotchkis said although funds were still being tallied, they had already raised more than $43,000.  

Ms Starcic said this had more than doubled their initial goal of $20,000. 

Riders paid an entry fee and were asked to raise a minimum of $2000 each, with other funds coming from sponsorship. 

All funds raised will go towards the Illawarra Convoy. 

Mr Hotchkis said that the ride “was really good - we just had a ball”.

An avid cross-country mountain biking enthusiast, he joked that he was “ready to go tomorrow” after the lengthy trek. 

“I’m feeling good,” he said on Saturday. 

“Day one was pouring with rain as a drought-breaker - it poured rain for the whole 150km that first day.

“We had cold mornings, cold starts, but really good weather (overall) before we had a little rain yesterday, and it was really windy coming home today.”

Mr Hotchkis said they planned to make the ride an annual event.

He also hoped to afford people who weren't able to take part for the full week the option of riding with them for shorter distances, or a day or two.

The welcome home party for the returning riders at Dandaloo Hotel carpark featured live music, face-painting and other kids' activities. 

The i98fm Illawarra Convoy has raised $11.45 million since its inception.

The tally from the 2017 event was a record $1.9 million last November.

The 13th running of the event featured 714 trucks and 927 motorbikes travelling 70 kilometres from the West Cliff Colliery at Appin, through the streets of the Illawarra.

This year’s Convoy will take place on November 18. 

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