On Wednesday at dawn, Troy Bailey and his faithful pooch Chloe head off on an epic mountain bike circumnavigation of Australia to raise money for – and awareness of – refugee and asylum seeker issues.

Troy, 45, sold his Collingwood furniture and building business six months ago to set up his trip. He is a former world solo 24-hour mountain bike champion as well as being a national and state medal winner.

Former world champion mountain biker Troy Bailey grabs his trail-running dog Chloe to ride a complete lap around Australia. Credit:Jason South

He has competed on rides for seven days through the Victorian high country. But this trip around Australia – through hills and river valleys and many, many bike trails – will take until Christmas. He and his team hope to raise no less than $10,000 for refugee and asylum seeker welfare groups and spread the word about what they feel is the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers in detention camps.

He has sponsors who have supplied the bikes and a team of four who travel with him feeding and watering him with donated money. Chloe the dog goes the whole way around.