Ed Birt has spent the last 23 days on his bicycle, riding across Australia in a bid to make cycling accessible to more people.
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The chief operating officer of the Disability Trust undertook the 5500-kilometre Indian Pacific Wheel Ride, a solo journey that began at the Fremantle Lighthouse in Western Australia last month, to raise money for the organisation's CycleAbility program.
The funds will help purchase bicycles, tricycles, recumbent bikes and frames, which will allow people with a disability in Wollongong the opportunity to get out and cycle.
"It's just empowering to get from A to B under your own steam," Mr Birt said.
Yesterday morning Mr Birt arrived at his final destination, the Sydney Opera House, where he enjoyed a well-earned glass of champagne to celebrate the achievement.
His journey took him across the Nullabor to Adelaide, along Victoria's Surf Coast to Melbourne, and up through the Australian Alps and the Illawarra.
"It's a big country and lots can happen, but I was pretty well-prepared... The bike performed really well," Mr Birt said.
Experiencing the beautiful sights across four states was a highlight, but the generosity of the people he encountered really stood out.
"There were people who put me up in their homes, or truck drivers who stopped and made me a peanut butter and banana sandwich in the middle of the desert," Mr Birt said.
His journey was followed by 'dot watchers', people who tracked his way across the country via his GPS.
As he rode through Wollongong on Saturday night, he said, he saw not only people he knew but many he didn't come out and cheer him along.
The same happened in Sydney as he completed the final leg of the epic ride.
Mr Birt was the second participant to reach Sydney; two more are still on their way, and five have left the ride.
He covered an average of 240 kilometres a day.
While he had some aches and pains and other ailments associated with cycling for so long, he said he felt fantastic.
However, Mr Birt said he planned to give himself a few days off the bike now the journey was finished.
As of Sunday afternoon, he had raised $8240 of his $10,000 goal.
The Disability Trust plans to launch the CycleAbility program on May 29.
It will focus on fun, skills development, safety, bicycle maintenance and repair, and getting to know the Wollongong cycle network.
Anyone who wants to support Mr Birt and the program can visit the fundraising website to make a donation.
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