Prime Minister Tony Abbott has swapped a seat on a RAAF VIP jet for the less comfy seat on his bike.
After jetting around the world, he's headed for Mudgee, NSW, for the final two days of Pollie Pedal.
Mr Abbott, a keen cyclist, co-founded this event in 1998, raising more than $3 million for charity and giving politicians the opportunity to get out and meet the people.
Although a coalition-initiated event, Labor MPs have participated.
Before this year, lycra-clad Mr Abbott has ridden every single kilometre of all 16 events.
But in 2014, international events took precedence.
He departed Australia last Saturday night for talks in the Netherlands with Dutch PM Mark Rutte and to meet some of the 500-strong team involved in bringing home the dead from last month's MH17 disaster. He then went on to London for meetings.
On his way back, he dropped into the Australian base in the United Arab Emirates, visiting defence personnel conducting aid delivery flights over Iraq.
Pollie Pedal 2014 started in Moree on August 10 and 1000 kilometres later, it concludes in Penrith, western Sydney, on Sunday. This year's beneficiary will be Carers Australia.
Mr Abbott said it was terrific to be able to join the second last day of the event in Mudgee.
"It is nice to swap the RAAF jet for the bike," he told reporters.
Mr Abbott said this was all for the carers of Australia, the three million people who cared for someone in need.
"The great thing about all of these people is that they are putting themselves out every day 24/7 for someone they love," he said.
Mr Abbott said the government did a lot for the nation's carers.
But those participating in the ride were going the extra mile for them, letting carers know the commitment of at least some of their leaders in Canberra was official, personal and practical.
"I am so sorry that I have been a bit of a pollie-pedal absentee for the first six days of the ride," he said.
Share
