Great Vic Bike Ride 2007

This year’s ride from Phillip Island to Buchan was a first for Bicycle Victoria, as we headed away from Melbourne in the hope of taking advantage of the prevailing westerly winds. The ride passed through some picturesque and surprisingly green Gippsland countryside, stopping at Wonthaggi, Foster, Yinnar, Rawson, Maffra and Paynesville. Despite substantial hills on three of the riding days our 63 students coped incredibly well and by the end of the week students had covered over 550 km. Riding conditions this year were favourable with moderate temperatures and no rain.

Students showed remarkable resilience cycling an average of 80km per day, putting up with the rigors of camping and sleep deprivation and coping with the basic toilet and shower facilities. The mix of year eight to eleven students always seems to be a success and after a few days the ‘team’ was functioning smoothly. On completing the ride, students had a great sense of achievement and of being part of something special, having participated with over 3,500 other riders in a community event of epic proportions.

A camp like this would not be possible without the commitment of staff who participated in over twenty hours of training rides to ensure students were capable and confident cyclists. Thanks go to James McLaughlan who organised the sponsorship and cycling tops, Greg Sargent, Jason Reynolds, Pip Andrieux, Peter Rivett, Steve Bustin, Michael Killeen and Jenny Jones. A number of parents also went on the ride and I would like to acknowledge their contributions.

I’m sure as you view the photos you will admire the new 2007 version of the McKinnon tops which attracted many positive comments from other riders and I would like to once again thank our sponsors for their support.

• Conway's Heating
• Blint Builders
• Buxton Real Estate
• Cycleinn
• Nuline Buses
• Rickards Legal
• McKinnon Thistleonians
• Century 21 Real Estate

This year 18 students joined us for their second or third Great Vic and we look forward to seeing many of them on the 2008 ride which will include the Grampians. We also encourage other students to ‘get pedalling’ and join the increasing numbers of cyclists who make this camp such a fantastic and worthwhile experience.

Enjoy!! Stuart Baker GVBR organiser.