By Holly McGuinness
Mernda’s Daniel Aplin plans to tackle the 300-kilometre loop of Port Phillip Bay in this year’s Around the Bay bike ride.
Mr Aplin trains weekly for the event, which will be his longest ride to date.
“It’ll definitely be a challenge but I’m doing my best in the training and can only do that on the day too,” Mr Aplin said.
His wife, Rebecca has been a major supporter of his cycling goals and plans to be waiting for him at the finish line on the day.
“I don’t think I could do it if my wife wasn’t on board, you really need that support from your partner,” Mr Aplin said.
Completing the 204km Otway Classic back in April, this is the natural progression for Mr Aplin as he works up to a 320km ride in the highlands early next year.
“I thought this year would be a good time to do it, in terms of where I was with my training,” he said.
Training is squeezed between his full-time job as a data analyst for the government and includes regular use of his indoor bike, purchased during lockdown.
He also rides his local circuit near his home.
“I normally ride from Mernda and will head out through Whittlesea, up into King Lake and Flowerdale,” he said.
“Going up to Kinglake from Hurstbridge is a really nice part, you start going into those hills there and it’s a constant climb.”
This is the first year the Around the Bay event will run since 2019 and more than 10,000 riders are expected to join the ride on Sunday, October 9. The event raises money for The Smith Family.
