But the Bendigo resident said the strength and courage required for his feat was nothing compared to that which his sister, Janette Dyall, had shown.

Janette was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, shortly after getting married and celebrating her 50^th birthday.

“I just hopped out of the shower one morning, I had no pain or anything, just drying myself and felt a lump up on the right-hand side,” she said. 

“Because I turned 50 I was booked in to have a mammogram anyway, and it all happened from there.”

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Her family and friends have been an invaluable source of support.

But Janette struggled to imagine what the past two years would have been like without the help of McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurse Rosie Gillies.

“At the start it was amazing because you’ve got no idea of what’s going on,” she said. 

“She was there right from the first appointment.”

An appreciation for the need for breast care nurses, and brotherly love, were the inspiration for Ride 24.

Mr Dalton aims to raise $10,000 with his ride, to be staged at the Tom Flood Sports Centre in Bendigo from 10am on March 3. 

The self-described ‘keen cyclist’ hopes his efforts will help fund additional McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses and increase breast awareness in young women.

Bendigo is home to two of the foundation’s breast care nurses, including Rosie: one based at Bendigo Health, the other at St John of God Hospital. 

They are among more than 110 McGrath Breast Care Nurses working nationally, who foundation ambassador and director Tracy Bevan said had supported more than 49,000 families experiencing breast cancer. 

“Events like this are truly helping us to make a difference,” Ms Bevan said. 

Mr Dalton thanked the Bendigo community for its generosity and encouraged people to register to tag along for a stretch of the ride. 

“They can be someone that hasn’t ridden a bike or a pro bike rider,” he said.

To donate to Ride 24, visit: https://www.gofundraise.com.au/page/PaulDalton