Riders ready to take on Great Vic Bike Ride later this year

THIS year’s 37th annual Great Victorian Bike Ride is just under three months away and some of Western Victoria’s biggest attractions will headline the nine-day event after it was postponed in 2020.

The event will entail a 537-kilometre route through the Grampians National Park with highlights like the Rainbow Art Silos, a loop ride out of Horsham to the arts hub Natimuk, a rest day in Halls Gap and more.

The event is also expected to attract over 3,000 people from across the Australia despite COVID-19 looming.

“The 2021 Great Vic has an exceptional mix of scenery, art on a grand scale, wildlife, wineries and the awe-inspiring Grampians National Park”, said Bicycle Network’s general manager of events, Rebecca Lane.

“The Great Vic has visited Western Victoria and the Grampians previously, however, this time we’re extending to new areas of this spectacular region, with the event giving riders a great taste of the small communities and the local produce the area is famous for.”

One of the people looking forward to the event is Geelong West resident Margery Smith and it will be her fourth time participating in the ride.

Ms Smith undertook the Great Victorian Bike Ride in 2004, 2005 and 2019, and she is looking forward to challenging herself once again this year.

“On the Great Vic Bike Ride I enjoy meeting the local regional communities on the way, it is a real plus,” Ms Smith said.

“But this time is exciting because we have got together a bunch of mates to do it with.

“It also seemed like a good idea to do something adventurous because of COVID and being trapped within our five-kilometre radius, it was just a very compelling idea.”

Tremendous amounts of planning go into facilitating this event and organisers should be commended for their work according to riders.

“It’s a great community ride and it is just so well-organised by Bicycle Network,” Ms Smith said.

“They have really got their act together when you consider the number of people that participate, it really is quite amazing how they manage to do it.”

The event itself will help support the ongoing economic recovery of lots of small communities across the Grampians region, effectively creating more than 3000 ambassadors for the area.

The ride is scheduled to get underway on Saturday, November 27 through to Sunday, December 5.

To see more information on how to get involved in this year’s ride, head to greatvic.com.au.