#GreatVic Ahead
At the end of November, I’m doing something that I’ve never done before. Not that doing something different is unusual for me. I did my first yoga headstand at 50!
But my yoga headstand lasted less than a minute. My new adventure at the end of November will take me nine days.
You see, I’m riding the 9-day RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride. This rolling bike festival will take me travelling by bicycle through amazing landscape from the Grampians to the Great Ocean Road.
The ride begins in Hall’s Gap, a small town about 250kms west of Melbourne, on the doorstep of the beautiful Grampians National Park. From there we ride south towards Victoria’s southern coast to the Great Ocean Road. Now this is where I get even more excited telling you about this ride.
The Great Ocean Road travels a spectacular stretch of Australian coast with rugged coastal cliffs eroded by the Southern Ocean. This famous scenic drive is well known for the Twelve Apostles – a collection of limestone pillars formed and continually reshaped by erosion.
It’s here at the Twelve Apostles that our bike ride joins the Great Ocean Road and continues along it for another four days until we reach Geelong where the ride finishes. As we ride along the Great Ocean Road, we’ll roll through small coastal townships, through littoral bushland and alongside some of Australia’s most famous surfing breaks. Hmm… do you think I can take my surfboard trolley? 😉 Maybe not.
As with most supported cycling holidays, the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride has options to suit different riders. I’m riding the 9-day tour but there are also 5-day and 3-day options. So if you’re interested in knowing more, head to their website where there are detailed descriptions of each option and plenty of practical advice about preparing for the ride.
And that leads me to my next point.
Over the nine days, I’ll be riding 527kms. And I’ve never done that before. So between now and November 26, I’m in training… #GreatVic Ahead! 🙂
p.s. – if this post has you tempted to join the ride, there is an early bird rate available until 5pm next Wednesday 3rd August.
The nine day ride from Halls Gap to Geelong.
a bike for all seasons 
Good luck!
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Thanks 🙂 I’m going to enjoy it.
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This sounds like fun!
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That’s what I reckon too Gary 🙂
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Happy training, Gail. Good on you! Enjoy all the wonderful country too in Victoria… All the best! 🙂
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Thanks Iris. From what I read and hear, the ride is very sociable and amongst such beautiful landscape, I’m bound to have a good time 🙂
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Fabulous Gail! Enjoy! I have driven some of the GOR with my son. It is stunning.
Pam
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It’s a few months away yet but I’m really excited about seeing that view along the Great Ocean Road from two wheels. Although… just quietly, I think there are some hills to climb on some of that stretch 🙂
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Wow Gail, that’s some of the loveliest countryside in Victoria – it should be a great experience. Good for you 😊, and I look forward to reading the stories. Cheers, Paula
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Hi Paula, it’s a wonderful route 😀 … I’ve driven the Great Ocean Road a couple of times but never ridden. And I’ve never been to the Grampians, so that will be quite special too.
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How exciting, Gail! Best get those cycling muscles super fit, it sounds like a very long way on person powered, two wheels. The scenery is spectacular even though some of the apostles have succumbed to natural forces over the years. I’ll look forward to some great stories when you return.
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It’s much longer than I’ve ever ridden before Robyn – so I’ve adopted this training mantra: the fitter I am, the more I’ll enjoy the ride 🙂
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It sounds daunting, Gail. I think you’re wise to prepare mentally as well as physically. In fact I would have expected nothing less 😀
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Thanks Robyn 🙂 it doesn’t feel daunting … it’s more a feeling of excitement 🙂
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Wonderful!
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Hello Gail
I am so excited for you. That will be such a great ride!
Jen
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Too true Jen 🙂 I’ve looked at doing one of these rides for a few years now, so I’m thrilled to know it’s happening.
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Gail, Oh, yes, I am sorely tempted but soooooo out of shape. I’ll just tag along with you as you train for the big race. And of course I will be living vicariously through all of your adventures – without the aches and pains at the end of the day. Clare
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I know… I can hear you saying ‘if only I was in Australia….’ 😀
Wonderful to know I’ll be sharing my adventure with you online (pain free) Haha! Thanks for dropping by Clare 🙂
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Sounds a wonderful idea. I still haven’t travelled the Great Ocean Road but hope to do so before the twelve apostles shrink in number even further. Maybe it’ll be in a sports car rather than a bike :).
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You’ve got me wondering how many apostles are left now… I’ll ride down in November and check it out Anni 😀
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This is going to be an amazing experience – a physical challenge but with plenty of gorgeous scenery as a reward. I look forward to reading your stories! Best wishes and happy cycling. 🙂
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Thanks Jane. I haven’t ridden these distances before so it will be quite a new challenge. I’m encouraged by the prospect of seeing a beautiful part of Australia and also riding with a group of other bicycle riders. A rolling bicycle festival sounds wonderful doesn’t it and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of stories to share. 🙂
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