Former Miss Earth Australia contestant Turia Pitt has embarked on her first major sporting challenge since sustaining horrendous burns from the Kimberley Ultramarathon bushfire in 2011.
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The 26-year-old joined 20 cyclists outside Parliament House on Monday morning as they departed on the third leg of their 4000 kilometre journey to raise funds for the Variety children’s charity.
Ms Pitt was just 24-years-old when the bushfire surrounded marathon runners in the remote Kimberley and left her with serious burns to 64 per cent of her body.
Speaking at a breakfast outside Parliament House, the NSW South Coast woman said helping children regain their independence was a key motivation for taking on the challenge.
“This is something I really relate to,” she said. “Being in the hospital throughout my recovery I struggled with a loss of independence.”
Ms Pitt said her preparation for the event hadn’t been ideal and the first two days of riding had been a challenge.
“It’s been hard to fit in the time as I’ve been training for a couple of events,” she said. “I’ve only really just done riding around home, that’s about it.”
But Ms Pitt already has her eyes on future challenges, after just two days of riding.
“I’m doing the 20 kilometre Lake Argyle swim later this year and I’ll be walking a section of the Great Wall of China,” she said.
“So it’s kind of like doing a triathlon.”
The team of 20 cyclists began a 116 kilometre leg of the journey after breakfast climbing 905 metres up the Snowy Mountains range to Cooma.
Logistics operation manager Adam Schumack said the cyclists are of ranging experience and confidence.
The group left Sydney on Saturday and will travel more than 100 kilometres on average each day, until they reach Uluru on April 16.
Founder of the charity ride Christopher Mapp said around 200 people joined the small team over the weekend.
“There’s a good spirit and camaraderie on the road,” he said.
“Most people in the group have never met before.
“The motivation behind this whole event is to raise money for the Variety children’s charity. We’ve raised $500,000 so far and we’re aiming for $1 million.”
Ms Pitt will ride alongside her partner, Michael Hoskins, who has supported her throughout her challenging recovery.
Mr Hoskins and Turia married for three years before the September 2011 fire and met as teenagers in Ulladulla, on the NSW south coast.
The cyclists will be accompanied by volunteer bicycle mechanic, 27-year-old Oliver Cashman, who will ensure the team's wheels remain in motion throughout the entire 26 days.
The team will be stopping by schools on their journey and giving grants to many disadvantaged children.
The riders will also meet with children who have already benefited from the support of the Variety charity.
