On ya bike!
It's not a favourable political message, but that's what Prime Minister Tony Abbott has told, in good humour, a bunch of cyclists starting the annual charity Pollie Pedal in northern Tasmania.
A group of some 50 mostly middle-aged, lycra-clad participants saddled up in Burnie on Friday morning for the start of more than 450km of pedalling across four days.
But event co-founder Mr Abbott was not among the team, dressed instead in suit and tie, ready to jet to the Melbourne funeral of former prime minister Malcolm Fraser.
"It is a great thing to be doing and I'm sorry that I'm rather overdressed for the occasion," he told the group.
"But I'm looking forward to being more appropriately attired and on the right form of transport when I see you mid-morning tomorrow."
Mr Abbott earlier mingled with the group, which includes junior world champion cyclist, Tasmanian Macey Stewart.
NSW MP Angus Taylor also is among the pack and is the principle fundraiser for the 2015 ride, having generated some $500,000.
Proceeds this year go to Carers Australia.
Since its inception in 1998, the event has raised about $4 million for various causes and covered more than 20,000km.
But Mr Abbott said the benefits were multiple.
"To take politicians out of their comfort zone, to get a chance to see parts of Australia and meet people who (don't) get that many chances to meet senior politicians," he said, championing the event.
Mr Abbott earlier showed his cycling expertise and didn't flinch when a participant over-inflated a tyre, sending a gunshot-like sound across the Burnie waterfront that left some bystanders in shock.
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