The Great Vic Bike Ride is celebrating its 40th year this year, and among the keen cyclists taking part will be Mernda local Adrian Gifford. Organised by charity Bicycle Network, the ride is a non-competitive bicycle tour of the rural parts of Victoria. Mr Gifford is participating in his second Great Vic Bike Ride this year, after making the most of his experience last year.
“Even though we had some of the worst conditions since 1986, it was still a great experience,“ he said. “It was great to actually get back there and do some camping and be a part of a a community of fellow bike riders. “You’re together for nine days and you build a rapport with the riders each day, and if you are in the same sort of pace group you get to know the riders.
“You’re out there to enjoy yourself and see scenery you’d never see before, and they’re a great bunch of people.” Mr Gifford said that competing last year allowed him to achieve things he didn’t think possible. “I would just look at the hills and be like ‘there’s no way I’d ever be able to ride something like that,’ but then doing the Great Vic, you sort of have to,” he said.
“It was challenging in that respect, but it was also rewarding for that reason.” Bicycle Network chief executive Alisson McCormack said this year’s ride, which will start in Wodonga, will be a nod to “The ride’s extraordinary history which has introduced tens of thousands of cyclists to Victoria’s varied and beautiful cou.