Ready for a rolling adventure

By Kelly Carmody

Nov 23, 2023

Hills, thrills, caves and waves: All are set to excite this year’s riders on The Great Vic Bike Ride. Murchison local Geoff Lodge will be participating in the nine-day ride. Photo by Kelly Carmody

All set: The Great Vic Bike Ride leaves from Orbost this weekend, with Murchison local Geoff Lodge, alongside daughter Genevieve, 21, heading on the adventure.

Around 3000 bike riders from Victoria, interstate and overseas will set off for another edition of The Great Vic Bike Ride this weekend.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The fun, friendly and challenging ‘holiday’ showcases the best of Gippsland’s rivers, lakes and beaches.

Murchison local Geoff Lodge, alongside daughter Genevieve, 21, will be participating in the nine-day ride, which will cover about 540km.

Riding is something Mr Lodge has enjoyed his whole life. Over the past few weeks, he has ramped up his training by riding daily, and now he is all set to push his pedals the distance.

However, when asked what he was looking forward to the most, he said with a chuckle, “Wonthaggi”, ultimately the finish line.

“It’s not a race, so it’s technically not a finish line, but I’ll be happy to get there,” Mr Lodge said.

“The best thing about the Great Vic Bike Ride is cycling on roads you usually wouldn’t ride along due to traffic. The roads become a lot safer because of the event.

“And the beauty of riding a bike is that you can ride and talk all day. Not so much when going up the hills, but you can talk to people for hours as you peddle and meet new people along the way.”

From November 25 to December 3, the rolling bike festival with tent-based accommodation will see riders leave from Orbost and visit Buchan, Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, Sale, Port Albert and Fish Creek.

Mr Lodge will be camping alongside the Snowy River before winding through Gippsland’s breathtaking scenery, where he will soak in the sea air en route to Wonthaggi.

All riders receive comprehensive on-route support, luggage transfers, entertainment along the way, a medical team always present and bicycle repair facilities just in case.

Hills, thrills, caves and waves are set to excite this year’s riders. Mr Lodge said he would take in the views as much as possible.

“The game plan is to stay together as a team,” Mr Lodge said.

“I went for a ride with Genevieve last weekend, and she kept saying ‘Dad, you’re riding a lot faster’, so I’ll make sure I slow down and take it all in, including the views — when I am not focused on the bitumen and the wheels in front of me.

“The event organiser, Bicycle Network, has created a well-oiled machine. Hopefully, I am not one of the causalities.

“It’s an amazing event that has a positive vibe, and we are pretty excited to be part of it.”