Newsroom

Great Vic Bike Ride held off for 2020

Bicycle Network has made the sad decision to not hold the Great Vic Bike Ride in 2020 due to current coronavirus restrictions in Victoria.

The annual bike riding and camping event was set to visit the Art Silos and Grampians in Western Victoria from 28 November to 6 December. It will be the first year that the ride will no be held since it began in 1985.

Bicycle Network General Manager of Events Rebecca Lane said that while it was a tough decision to make, it is the right decision.

"While it may not come as a surprise, we appreciate that this news will still be disappointing for many, from our riders, to our volunteers, contractors, host towns and partners, but we know it’s the right call," said Ms Lane.

"Over 36 years, there isn’t much that the Great Vic hasn’t been through, which is why we know that we will get through this."

It was hoped that the Great Vic could have celebrated a return to normal life and been a boost for regional Victoria, which not only felt the effects of coronavirus, but also a summer of bushfires before that.

While celebrations will not be held in 2020, plans are already being made for the Great Vic to return in 2021 and visit the route planned for this year.

"We promise we’ll be back in November 2021 to ride from the Art Silos to the Grampians in Western Victoria for one of our most unique and visually stunning rides yet," added Ms Lane.

"Our thoughts will be with everyone who had this year's Great Vic in their calendar. If we do the right thing to stop the spread of coronavirus we will be back next year."

The Great Vic delivers more than $800,000 to local communities and was expected to attract up to 3,000 participants in 2020. It was scheduled to spend nights at Rainbow, Brim, Horsham, Halls Gap, Dunkeld, Pomonal and Great Western.

Bicycle Network thanks Grampians Tourism and local councils and shires Hindmarsh, Greater Hamilton, Horsham, Ararat and Northern Grampians for their help in planning the ride.

General tickets were not put on sale for 2020 due to the coronavirus risk. You can register your interest to be the first to hear when tickets are available for the 2021 Great Vic in May.

Register interest

Like our articles?

Become a Member and help fund our advocacy work.

Join Now