For 50 years Nelson Bay builder Warwick Mathieson would swap his workday King Gees and hard hat for his weekend leathers and helmet, bush bashing on his trusty dirt bike.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Having recently retired from his professional trade, the 70-year-old still enjoys hopping on his two-wheeler and getting "out in the fresh air, having as much fun as possible without doing anything illegal".
Then three years ago Mathieson heard about the Variety Club Postie Bike dash, which raises funds for underprivileged children living in country NSW, and decided to enter with his 110cc Honda bike.
"I decided in that first year to wear one of my more colourful bow ties and jackets. They were a bit of a novelty so the bow tie and suit have become part of my bash attire."
Mathieson will join 60 other bike riders for the 2019 event to take place from November 2 to 8, riding 1500 km on gravel roads from Tamworth throughout northern NSW and finishing back in Australia's country music capital.
"From Tamworth we travel to Tenterfield, Casino, Lismore, Glen Inness and Armadale before finishing back in Tamworth," he said.
"Last year we raised $165,000 for the Variety Club, which goes to needy children in country NSW. We stop at schools along the way distributing cheques for equipment that schools have applied for. The event has a full support team."
To donate go to varietypostiedash2019.everydayhero.com/mathieso.