Pollies put the pedal on

AFTER more than 180 kilometres on a push bike, Federal politician Tony Abbott was understandably looking a little sore yesterday at Gateway Village caravan park.

“That was a hell of a ride,” he said as he leapt off his bike, ready to put up his tent.

Mr Abbott was among a group of about 30 cyclists riding from Brisbane to Sydney as part of the annual Pollie Pedal who stopped at Junction Hill yesterday for a well-earned break.

The group was raising money for health scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders through the University of Sydney's Poche Centre.

Also riding with Mr Abbott was Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker and Member for Oxley Bernie Ripple, with various other politicians expected to join the group on the ride to Sydney.

The event has been running since 1998, with the group raising money for a different charity each year.

This year, for the third time, the Grafton branch of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints was on hand to feed the hungry masses after the ride.