Although she had never been on a bike before the trip was announced, Ms Atkinson has more than adventure driving her.

She has psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, making the six-day journey one close to heart.

The Canowindra resident will be joined in November by three other Central West women to form a team known as “Four Fit Ladies”. The team includes Canowindra’s Sally Wallace, and Coonamble’s Marissa Callaghan and Rowena Macrae.

On Monday Ms Atkinson visited Mudgee Cycles who is helping sponsor the trip by offering cycling shoes and other equipment.

She said the cross-border challenge ion behalf of Arthritis NSW, a non-government health charity that seeks to improve the quality of life of those affected by arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Ms Wallace told the Canowindra News the team were doing this in support of Ms Atkinson.

“There’s no cure for it,” Ms Wallace said.

“All her joints ache and if it gets really severe, it almost leaves her incapacitated.”

Both are diseases where your immune system mistakenly targets one’s own body, and causes inflammation of the joints and spine.

The team’s goal was to start 2013 with a bang by seeking 25 donations of $25 in 25 days. However they’ve since blitzed it, raising over $4000.

Ms Wallace said the group has been in training ahead of the bike ride.

“We go out on our pushbikes as often as we can,” Ms Wallace said.

“It helps get our legs and backsides into gear.”

The team hopes to raise a total of $15,000.

All funds raised are going directly towards Arthritis NSW, and amounts over $2 are tax deductible. To donate visit www.vietnamtocambodia.gofundraise.com.au/page/AtkinsonJ

Alternatively, donations can be made by cheque or cash to one of the team, or by direct deposit to BSB 032 833, account number 292331.

If donating by bank deposit, email your details to jane.atkinson@hotmail.com for receipting purposes.