Smith takes it all on ride- Ralph Smith will be participating in the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride. 66572

By Emma Sun
The 64-year-old has previously participated in four bike rides and will be doing the nine-day ride from Swan Hill to Castlemaine.
Prior to being in the rides, Mr Smith helped out at the past events as a volunteer, assisting with dishwashing for five years.
“That got a bit hard, so I decided to get into riding,” he said.
“We used to work long hours, so I thought it’d be easier riding the bike.”
Mr Smith said he would be focusing more on enjoying the scenery and helping people out than racing to come first.
“I don’t try to be first in, I always stop by to have a look at everything,” he said.
“If schoolkids are struggling up a hill, I will try to encourage them, and if someone’s seat is too low or they’re pedalling in the wrong gear I’ll try to help them.”
The ride is just as much about being social and having a good time as it is about getting fit.
“I’m actually going to take my 13-year-old grandson for the first time, who has never done it before,” Mr Smith said.
“It’s a bit of a challenge – he’s going to have to do a bit of training, but I think it’ll work out good.
“There is a surprising number of people on the ride who take their grandchildren. It’s a big family thing.”
The bike ride is organised by Bicycle Victoria and the nine-day trip starts in Swan Hill with a loop ride before meandering the Murray River for three days to Echuca. After a rest day, the ride will continue through gold towns before riding into Castlemaine.
There are also shorter options, with three day and one-day rides available.
“If anybody is keen on going on the bike rides, I’d encourage them to do so,” Mr John said.
The ride will go from Saturday 26 November to Sunday 4 December.
For more information and entry fees, visit www.greatvic.com.au or call 1800 616 600.