But he said he jumped back in the saddle for the first time in three years because of Danny Frawley's love for the Ballarat Cycle Classic.

READ MORE: Danny Frawley's mates ready to ride Ballarat Cycle Classic

Frawley, who died last year, was one of Roberts' closest mates since they played together at St Kilda, and said he still has strong connections with former players from the city.

Frawley was christened Spud because of his potato farm home in Bungaree, and the name stuck.

"Half our St Kilda side was from Ballarat, so my love for this place is strong," Roberts said over coffee at the North Ballarat Sports Club.

"The connection is the big thing for me."

Roberts is preparing to ride the 50 or 80 kilometre Cycle Classic course on February 16, but he's sure he'll be dragged into completing the SPUD 100 - a 160km, or 100 mile, ride through the district - and he cautioned anyone thinking of entering should be ready.

"We were always persuaded to come to Ballarat because this is a hard joint to ride," he said.

"It's always a block wind, it's a tough caper.

"You're riding with blokes that will cannonball you, so you've got to hang onto their arses and survive otherwise they will laugh and drop you off."

Spud would have "given it a crack", he said, and the camaraderie helped give Roberts and his other mates the push to take on the challenge.

READ MORE: Ballarat Cycle Classic 2020: Nick White gets on board

"I'm glad there's 160 - and 100, and 80, and 50, to cover the standards of form and fitness," he said, adding he was looking forward to catching up with other former players.

"There's the team aspect, we look after each other, and we've got that respect for the rest of our lives," he said.

"I might not see these guys for a long time but all of a sudden an arm goes around your shoulder, and you know who it is, and you just pick the reins up.

"That's the beauty of the connection with the Ballarat boys, and football."

The Cycle Classic, which also includes less hardcore rides around the lake, walking, and mountain biking events, is the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute's main fundraiser.

Roberts said the event was also an opportunity to reach out and talk to your mates about mental health.

"It's so widespread, so the more you can educate people, drop your guard and talk about it, there's so much we can learn," he said.

READ MORE: Big Ballarat bid to 'crack the code', change breast cancer treatment

He said he still feels Frawley hasn't gone.

"I played a lot of football with him, and I played against him as well, and I know his family and his parents, but the thing with Spud is that he made me laugh," he said.

"When I ever get stressed or feel down myself, I actually think of Spud and he splits my sides, some of the things we went through.

"Just driving into Ballarat, and probably, when I get on the bike, there's no doubt all these stories will make me laugh, that's how I remember Spud."

TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE

The call is out for a final push in registrations to get moving any way you can in the annual Ballarat Cycle Classic.

A big bid was set less than three months out from Ballarat Cycle Classic - a $300,000 fundraising aim from the event. Every cent from entry fees will support Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute's new breast cancer research program.

One week out from the mass participation rides, run and pet-friendly walk and funds raised are almost two thirds of the way there as of Friday evening.

READ MORE:

Efforts already exceed last summer's Classic, which raised about $185,000 for the Institute's work.

There are plenty of ways for people of all abilities to get involved.

Three-time world mountain bike champion Jessica Douglas has come aboard as an ambassador with 30km, 40km and an extreme 50km mountain bike events.

For those wanting a taste of trail, there is a 28km family adventure ride along the Yarrowee to Gong Gong Reservoir or for those just wanting to a casual pedal there is the lap ride of Lake Wendouree.

The SPUD100 adds to the road ride program which includes a choice in distance from 50km, 60km, 85km and 100km - each course taking in the notorious Mount Buninyong climb tackled in Cycling Australia Road National Championships.

A pet-friendly lake walk or run rounds out the program.

All events start and finish in the Classic's Lake Wendouree village precinct. Riding starts from 7am.

Ballarat Cycle Classic is on February 16. Details: ballaratcycleclassic.com.au.

- with Melanie Whelan

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