Old legs prepare for gruelling ride in Africa

FROM Buderim to Zimbabwe, Mark Johnson is on a mission to put the pedal to the metal for struggling pensioners.

DOING IT FOR PENSIONERS: Mark Johnson will take part in the gruelling Old Legs mountain bike tour in Africa. Picture: John McCutcheon

FROM Buderim to Zimbabwe, Mark Johnson is on a mission to put the pedal to the metal for struggling pensioners.

He is gearing up to participate in the Old Legs Tour: a 2900km ride from Harare to Mt Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the elderly in Zimbabwe.

Mr Johnson will be among nine other mountain bike riders from all corners of the Earth who will begin their journey on June 1.

Having once lived in Zimbabwe for 35 years, Mr Johnson understands the "corruption” pensioners face.

"They had hyperinflation so all the savings the older people have just became worthless,” he said.

"There isn't a government system where they can be looked after so they really are in trouble.

"These people built the country, but unfortunately now because of their age, people are working into their 80s just to stay alive.”

Mr Johnson has been training for the ride since October and said he looked forward to the challenge.

"None of us really know what to expect, so we'll just have to ride within ourselves, but it'll be long days in the saddle,” he said.

The riders intend to raise $160,000 collectively for the cause, with funds going to ZANE, a charity dedicated to changing Zimbabwean pensioners' lives.

ZANE Australia CEO Nicky Passaportis said she was "so grateful and proud” of the 10 riders.

"It's just fantastic that they're putting themselves on the line and undertaking a huge challenge for the initiative,” she said.