OH! Magazine - Australian Version August 2018 | Página 4

( OH WOW )
COME ONE, COME ALL,
AND RIDE ALONG THE
EAST GIPPSLAND
RAIL TRAIL
Analee Gale prepares for a pedal-powered adventure in East Gippsland (VIC).
hen I was aged 16, I completed a
nine-day bike ride with my school,
which saw us pedal from the top of
Victoria, all the way to the bottom. It was,
undoubtedly, one of the best adventures
I’ve ever had, and so I find myself quite
excited – almost 30 years later – to be
#blessed with the opportunity to enjoy
another pedal-powered challenge; only
this time as an adult, and along the Great
East Rail Trail Ride.
W
Scheduled for 5 to 7 October 2018, this
fully-supported, three-day journey will
see me, roll along 100km of the East
Gippsland Rail Trail in Victoria.
Thankfully, there’s no traffic, gentle hills
only, and we’ll be surrounded by lush
forests, rolling farmland, country towns,
and friendly locals the entire way.
With daily riding distances tallying around
30 to 40km (with extra sweat options
provided for those who’d like to ride
further), and with participation capped at
120 people (to ensure we all have a great
time), this Great Ride is ideal for families,
new cyclists, seasoned cyclists and those
for whom cycling simply fills the intervals
between eating and drinking (i.e. me).
Included in the registration fee are all
meals (picnics, country pubs and open air
brekkies); support along the route (sag
wagon, first aid, water, kind and helpful
people); daily transfer of your luggage;
provision of entertainment each night;
and transport back to the start for you and
your bike at the conclusion of the ride.
4
OH! MAGAZINE ( AUGUST 2018 )
Overnight accommodation is provided in
the form of a campsite, but if you’re like
me and you need a slightly more comfy
abode on which to lay your weary bones,
then cottage or pub upgrades are on offer
(while beds remain available). Of course,
if you don’t have access to a suitable bike
(hybrids or mountain bikes are
recommended), you can also hire one
through the event organisers.
If it all sounds kind of fun, but you’re just
not quite sure if this is the ride for you,
then here are a few reasons that may
swing your vote:
1. It is the only multi-day ride on a Rail
Trail in Australia (as far as we know).
2. You gave your partner a bike for their
birthday/anniversary/Christmas and
they haven’t ridden it yet. Make this
the next present!
3. You have little children and want to
go cycle touring with them, but you
can’t bear to face the logistics, are
not sure if they’ll make the distance,
or fear you’ll crave adult conversation
along the way.
4. You love cycling but hate close
encounters with cars.
5. Cycling is really just an excuse to
indulge in awesome eating and
drinking!
6. Spending three days biking through
lush farmland and forests is your
idea of bliss.
7. You love the idea of taking part, but
several thousand other people is just
way too many for your liking.
Now, I am the first to admit that my
physique and my fitness level is far from
the condition I was in when I completed
my first (and only other) multi-day ride.
Fortunately, the fine print of the event’s
registration page confirms that eBikes are
permitted, so I’ve recruited assistance of
my friends at Pirez Electric Cycles in
Melbourne (VIC) who have hooked me up
with a nifty little build – and heck, if my
battery permits I might even indulge in
the extra sweat options once or twice!
And for company’s sake (because 119
others aren’t enough?!), my wonderful
friend Laraine Dunn (see Laraine’s epic
bike achievements here) is going to bring
her gorgeous self along for the thrill too!
So let me reiterate, this event is a friendly,
non-competitive, lycra-optional event,
which means it’s ideally suited to those
looking to undertake a bike adventure
with manageable distances and lots of
support. Of course, this doesn’t mean you
don’t need to train – some preparation is
required!
The Great East Rail Trail Ride is run by
Snowy River Cycling, in partnership with
East Gippsland Shire Council, and the EG
Rail Trail Committee of Management.
Snowy River Cycling is a cycle tour
business providing services on the East
Gippsland Rail Trail, as well as a range of
guided and other cycle tours.
For more information about the event,
including online registration, go to
www.greateastrailtrailride.com.au