Newsroom

18 December 2024
40th Great Vic ends on a high

There were two types of people on the 2024 Great Vic Bike Ride; those who enjoyed the rain, and those who didn’t.

Luckily, the weather gods had both bases covered with an even split between hot, sticky days in Wodonga, Mansfield and Alexandra, and thunderous skies pelting  tents in Wangaratta, Mrytleford and Marysville.

Weather aside, the event provided a bittersweet goodbye to the end of a 40-year era and proved the joy of Bicycle Network's iconic "multi-day, multi-site, bike riding celebration and riding holiday" for the 2600 riders, 230 volunteers and 100-member support crew. 

Where else but the Great Vic can you find hobbyists and fanatics alike, under the same sun, on the same route, in a bike riding convoy off the beaten path in regional Victoria? Each with their own personal goal – whether they tackled the 180, 311, or 501km routes.

The camaraderie experienced on the Great Vic, and the huge welcome the event receives in regional towns, demonstrates that bike riders are paving the way for sustainable travel as an accessible option, with a dose of a happy, healthy attitude for people of all ages and abilities thrown in.

Yes, there's an event transformation on the horizon, but Bicycle Network is determined that new generations of bike riders will experience the joy of riding in regional Victoria. 

 

Like our articles?

Become a Member and help fund our advocacy work.

Join Now

Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.

Featured

Ride On returns in 2025

Ride On Magazine, Bicycle Network’s much-loved member publication, is making a comeback.

Peaks Challenge to raise funds for Ride2School  

The Peaks Challenge Ride2School fundraiser is on again for this year's epic event on Sunday 9 March.

City of Adelaide looks at lower speed zones

The City of Adelaide will undertake a speed limit review to understand the need for reducing speeds to support business and residents and create a safer city environment.

Construction begins on long-awaited Harbour Bridge bike project

Work on the much-anticipated $38.9 million Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp upgrade has begun.  When completed, the bike lane will link the country's most famous bridge to the bike network in Milsons Point. 

Bicycle Network Membership for riding groups and clubs

Late last year, we launched our Affiliate Membership program, specially designed for cycling groups and clubs.

Bike path to grow longer in Orange

Orange in New South Wales is in line for a nice new stretch of bike path, one that will expand the off-road network and improve access to schools, playgrounds and sports facilities.

Digging begins for Canberra’s Garden City cycleway

Work has kicked off on a key Canberra bike route, setting the wheels in motion for safer and more pleasant journeys through the city’s northern suburbs.

Bike groups call for National Urban Policy to deliver on active transport

In a submission to the federal government’s draft National Urban Policy, Bicycle Network and seven other Australian bicycle organisations have called for active transport infrastructure funding to be increased to 10% of federal transport investment.

In a changing climate the shoreline is no sure thing

Many of our best bike journeys are along coastlines, or up and down the creeks and rivers that meet the sea. These are generally traffic-free routes, scenic, calm and refreshing. But with rising sea levels some of this vital infrastructure is at threat of inundation, erosion and from changes in groundwater chemistry.

Queensland’s big boon for bikes

The Queensland Government has committed to a significant expansion and upgrade of the state’s bike routes, as part of a $315 million investment in paths and infrastructure for active transport over the next four years.

Categories

Archives