In fact, he’s gone as far as calling it his fountain of youth; each inch of bitumen canvassed throughout his 43 years of riding has served as a breath of fresh air into the lungs.
Later this year, Mawley takes on 537km of road at the Great Vic Bike Ride, with this year’s hosting region none other than the majestic Grampians.
It’s Mawley’s fourth stab at the Great Vic and, like always, he won’t be going alone.
“Each time I have participated with one or more of our five children and this time it is with my daughter Claire,” Mawley said.
“I enjoy the cycling and the scenery, but I think the things you take away from the Great Vic are the intangibles such as the camaraderie, meeting like-minded people, reward for effort and, in this case, time with my daughter Claire.”
Mawley is no greenhorn when it comes to the Great Vic — his mode of recreation has always been with two feet on the pedals.
He bought his first racing bike at 18 years of age and raced for 10 years on the road with Wangaratta Cycling Club.
Traversing England, Ireland, Norway and Kashmir — as well as his favourite route, Kyabram to Rushworth — by bike has given the Campaspe Shire local a real appreciation for the sport, especially when it comes to the grandeur of events such as the Great Vic.
And of course he’s encouraging others to strap in for the ride.
“My advice for the first time rider is to just do it,” he said.
“I also recommend that the more miles in the legs the easier the ride will be.
“A little secret — two shorter rides each day of the weekend will serve you best in the early stages of your training, building up to longer rides.”
The nine-day ride takes place from November 27-December 5, 2021, and is anticipated to draw more than 3000 Australians to the Grampians.
Now in its 37th year, Bicycle Network events general manager Rebecca Lane could not wait for the likes of the Mawleys to experience the region’s beauty at the 2021 Great Vic.
“The 2021 Great Vic has an exceptional mix of scenery, art on a grand scale, wildlife, wineries and the awe-inspiring Grampians National Park,” Lane said.
“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.”
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