The hum of skinny bike tyres was louder than usual on Sunday morning, with over 3000 cyclists setting off Victoria Park for day one of the Great Victorian Bike Ride.
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The 533km, nine-day ride, will stick to the Central Goldfields, ending in Bendigo on December 6.
One of the more distinct rides will be Bruce Hicks’ velomobile.
The event marshal will ride the banana-coloured recumbent trike as he keeps the other riders on their best behaviour.
“I had a crash a few months, and didn’t get seriously injured but I thought it was a sign,” he said.
This will be the first real test of the new machine.
Bicycle Network COO Darren Allen said it would be a boon for the Central Goldfields, and allow the riders to really explore the region.
“Over 3000 riders will be taking off (on Sunday morning), it’s been a long time since we’ve really explored this region properly, so it’s been over 20 years since we’ve been to Bendigo, even though we’ve been here previously we’ve never really concentrated on Central Goldfields,” he said.
The route to Avoca on Sunday will take riders through Creswick, Clunes and Talbot.
Mr Allen said the whole contingent was a sight to see, and recommended drivers take some time to really take it in.
“If you’re a spectator, I’d pull over on the side of the road and just have a look. It’s pretty spectacular to watch some of these guys,” he said.
“We’ve got kids as young as 10, and Shirley, our oldest rider is 84 and out having a crack.”
The benefits won’t just be toned calf muscles for the riders.
Mr Allen said each day the average rider spends $35, which will give a big boost to the smaller towns along the route.
“What we’ve found is the towns that really turn it on, really open their doors and are really welcoming, can do better than that again. At $35 a rider, it doesn’t sound a lot, but it’s $100,000. Do it properly, it can be $200,000.”
School groups are a big part of the ride.
One of the smaller pelotons belongs to Copperfield College, with four students coming from the western suburbs of Melbourne.
Year 11 student Oktem Ozmal said they had done about a month of training.
“It’s maybe not long enough, we’ll be feeling it the last couple of days,” he said.
alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au
