By Danielle Kutchel
A father and son duo are gearing up for the Great Victorian Bike Ride later this year.
Berwick’s Graeme Pickering and his 13-year-old son Matthew will take on the 537 kilometre route from Saturday 27 November to Sunday 5 December.
The route will take more than 3000 riders through the majestic Grampians and past the award-winning Art Silos in Western Victoria.
The nine-day bike riding holiday will start in Rainbow and include stays at Rainbow, Brim, Horsham, Halls Gap, Dunkeld and Pomonal, with a finish in Great Western.
Graeme said he is looking forward to the shared father-son journey.
He and Matthew are keen cyclists and have ridden rail trails together previously – but they’ve never attempted a ride as big as the Great Victorian Bike Ride.
As a long-time cyclist, 59-year-old Graeme said he’s not “intimidated” by the length of the journey and was looking forward to the bonding experience with Matthew.
Come September, the pair will begin riding weekly to prepare for the event.
They’ve got a couple of favourite local rides, including up Payne Road behind Berwick, and through the back of Officer to Salisbury Road.
The Great Victorian Bike Ride will be a different type of challenge – but Graeme, who has a couple of marathons and a triathlon under his belt, is feeling confident about the trip.
He’s also looking forward to visiting small country towns along the way.
“They’re so friendly there, it should be lovely,” he said.
To find out more or join the ride, visit https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/great-victorian-bike-ride/
