Benjamin Millar
Ballan’s Georgie Rees is looking to wheel her way into adventure later this year when she joins an eight-day cycling journey through regional Victoria.
Scheduled for November 27 to December 5, The Great Vic Bike Ride 2021 will take in western Victoria’s famous art silo trail and the picturesque countryside around the Grampians.
The 537-kilometre route is expected to attract over 3000 people from across Australia, stretching from the grain lands of Rainbow to finish with a well-earned winery visit.
The route was initially planned for the 2020 ride until the COVID-19 pandemic caused its postponement.
Ms Rees said she first took part in the Great Vic Bike Ride in 2006, loving the atmosphere and scenery.
“I had just graduated from high school, I just loved it I was amazed at how well it was organised,” she said.
“Since then my work was always busy at that time of year, but I always knew I would love to do that again.”
Ms Rees said that with international travel being off the cards at the moment and even interstate trips being on hold, it was a great opportunity to explore the sights of Victoria.
She is looking forward to the “wide open spaces” of the first part of the ride through the Mallee region and the majestic Grampians as the backdrop from there.
Ms Rees advises people considering the ride to fit in some training rides in the lead-up to the event so as to avoid a shock to the system once on the road.
She has begun practice rides along the Ballarat-Skipton rail trail with her partner and is enjoying the excuse for exploring her own backyard.
“We are trying to make it a regular thing to get back out on the back roads and the bike trails as well,” she said.
Further details: greatvic.com.au
