Countryside, cycling, and camaraderie on big bike ride

IF you’ve always wanted to explore the Otways, Great Ocean Road, the volcanic and golden plains on two wheels, this month’s Great Vic Bike Ride is a way to do it.

The 522-kilometre journey will take just over a week, beginning in Koroit on Saturday, 26 November, and finishing locally in Buninyong on Sunday, 4 December.

Ballarat’s Deb Robertson is hopping back on her bike to take part in the ride for another year.

“One of the best things about the Great Vic Bike Ride is seeing the countryside by bike, the camaraderie of all the people, and the fantastic volunteers who are always smiling and doing their best to make everything go well,” she said.

“The best advice I was given on the Great Vic was on my first ride seven years ago, treat the food queue as an opportunity to meet other people.”

Ms Robertson said she is looking forward to cycling along the Great Ocean Road without other traffic to compete with.

“In 2018, on the first day, on the first hour of the Great Vic, my husband and I tangled handlebars.

“He ended up splat sideways on the bitumen, I went over the handlebars onto some beautifully soft grass,” she said.

“We dusted ourselves off and carried on, documenting the changing kaleidoscope of bruise colours for the rest of the Great Vic.”

Challenged in her training this year due to all the wet weather, Ms Robertson said she is apprehensive but excited.

“We usually ride on the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail. I’m a fair-weather rider. I love getting out and trundling along, stopping to take photos as the whim takes me,” she said.

Bicycle Network general manager of events Caitlin Borchers said any potential riders still deciding whether to join in on the journey would be able to discover country towns, eat gourmet produce, visit local wineries, and more.

“Western Victoria has some of the best bike riding in Australia; gentle gradients, quiet country backroads and inspirational scenery, making it ideal for bike riders of all levels,” she said.

“People come on the Great Vic Bike Ride for a variety of reasons, some to recapture their youth, others to escape the stresses of day-to-day life, a few believe that their figures might improve, whilst everyone enjoys the unique social atmosphere of the event.

“There is just no better way to meet people.”

For those that can’t commit to a week, there is a five-day ride from Koroit to Apollo Bay, or the last three days from the bay to Buninyong.

The trip is fully catered and accommodation is tent-based.

Support staff can transfer riders’ luggage, there will be medical assistance, bike repair help, and entertainment.