WODONGA cyclist Dan Owen is entering home territory more than 4000km into a 5471km journey from Fremantle to Sydney to raise money for Country Hope and support local kids with life-threatening illnesses.

Dan, an IT worker at Mars Petcare, Wodonga, set off on the "Indian Pacific Wheel Ride," with 36 other riders from across the world on March 16. He is one of only 9 riders left on the self-paced and un-supported ride.

Dan, who celebrated his 50th birthday last Monday, pedalled through Gippsland this week and will cross the mountains through Omeo and Falls Creek into the North East this weekend.

He has instructed wife Jo, an Albury nurse, not to visit as he passes through Beechworth and Yackandandah this weekend, as the temptation to go home could be all too much.

Instead, she will be waiting at the Sydney Opera house next week (another 900km up the road) to take him home.

But given Dan will be battling physical and mental fatigue and home sickness when he reaches the region, locals are being asked to come out and cheer him on as he passes through.

Dan’s location can be tracked in real time on https://ipwr24.maprogress.com/?n=2.

Dan has a $10,000 fundraising target, so he is hoping his epic ride will inspire people to give generously to help support Country Hope.

“Every donation counts and helps support families in need during their most challenging time in their lives,” Dan said.

For more information about Dan’s ride or to donate or follow his progress, visit his website www.countryhope.com.au/ridedanride.