Bicycle Network is coming to town this month to meet with locals and discuss how community groups, businesses and tourism operators can get involved and benefit from the upcoming Great Vic Bike Ride.
Three thousand bike riders, volunteers and support staff will descend on each Great Vic town between November 25 and December 3, 2023 as the biggest multi-day bike ride in the Southern Hemisphere travels from Orbost to Wonthaggi.
The meetings (all run from 6pm – 7pm):
Monday 19 June
Orbost – East Gippsland Shire Council,
Brodribb Room
1 Ruskin Street Orbost
Port Albert – Port Albert Fish & Chip Co,
60A Wharf St, Port Albert
Tuesday 20 June
Buchan – Buchan Recreation Reserve Pavilion,
Buchan-Orbost Road, Buchan
Sale – Criterion Hotel Sale (Drawing Room),
90 MacAlister St, Sale
Wednesday 21 June
Lakes Entrance – East Gippsland Shire Council, Cunningham Room
55 Palmers Road, Lakes Entrance
Fish Creek – Fish Creek Bowling Club,
Terrill Park Falls Rd, Fish Creek
Thursday 22 June
Paynesville – East Gippsland Shire Council,
One Rear Room
55 The Esplanade, Paynesville
Wonthaggi / Inverloch – Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club,
Kirrak Room
65 – 83 Graham Street, Wonthaggi
Caitlin Borchers, Bicycle Network General Manager of Events, says, “The meetings will give locals the chance to learn how they can make the most out of the event and get information about how it will operate”.
“This year’s Great Vic is set to showcase the best of Gippsland’s rivers, lakes and beaches. We’re excited to work with the local communities to help share their community with riders and showcase the very best of each town.”
“Whether you’re part of the golf club or football club, run a café, or have some local produce to showcase to riders, we would love you to come along to the community meetings to learn more about the Great Vic.
“The event presents great opportunities for community groups like schools, sporting clubs and businesses. Each rider spends an average of $35 a day on the Great Vic, injecting more than $100,000 each day into the region. Three out of four riders also tell us that they are likely to come back to towns again within 12 months after first visiting on the ride.”
Planning information including details of campsite locations and changes to traffic conditions will also be discussed at the meetings.
“We want to make sure our visit to each town is as smooth as possible and that local communities understand how the event will run and the opportunities for them,” Ms Borchers added.
The floor will be open at the meetings for locals to discuss the ride and see how they can be a part of the festivities.
The ride starts in Orbost on November 25. Overnight stops are in Buchan (November 26), Lakes Entrance (November 27), Paynesville (November 28), Sale (two nights, November 29 and 30), Port Albert (December 1), Fish Creek (December 2) and finishing after nearly 540kms in Wonthaggi. For more information on the event, and details for those who can’t make it on the night, visit greatvic.com.au
