Bicycle built for two's epic polio mission

A FORMER North East couple were back in Wangaratta last week as part of their epic 3000km tandem bicycle fundraiser to support Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign. The 74-year-old Rotarians, Phil and Joyce Ogden, who now live in Tasmania, are riding from Adelaide to Sydney. They set off on April 3 and hope to complete their approximate 3000km journey in eight weeks. With 30 years of tandem cycling behind them, the pair have planned and self funded their current trip, with support from the Rotary Club of South Launceston. They are staying with Rotarians along the ride and addressed Rotary clubs in Wangaratta this week, who are backing their cause. Phil witnessed the terrible legacy of the polio epidemic of the fifties in his medical career and is passionate about making a difference. “We feel that the enormous effort which has gone into turning the tide of the disease will be lost if pressure and fund raising are not maintained until the disease is totally eradicated,” he said. “If we take our collective eyes off the ball, the disease will re-establish. "So, we are still committed to harnessing another of our passions, cycling, to push things along.” The couple ride approximately 100km per day, and estimate they've ridden 100,000km throughout their tandem adventures together across the globe, including unsupported crossings of the European Alps, the Pyrenees and the Rockies. Joyce said cycling is a big part of their life. "We would cycle together as a family with our two children," she said. "Our introduction into tandem biking was in Launceston in 1993, we rode down a hill, turned the corner and fell off. "I was on the back with my eyes closed. "But we went and brought a tandem bike and we have had lots of adventures since." The couple lived in Myrtleford for 12 years and have a special connection to North East Victoria. "As we were riding north it felt a bit like coming home," Joyce said. The pair have raised just over a third of their goal of $40,000 for their journey. Phil said they are asking people to donate the cost of a coffee. "If everyone can donate just six dollars, it would be a significant amount of money," he said. Those able to support the cause can donate at https://raise.rotary.org/joyce+phil/challenge.

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