A Highton family will be sending three generations of riders to participate in the Great Vic Bike Ride this December.
Grandfather Wilson Heer and dad John have been riding in the event since the 1990s, when they completed the ride in five consecutive years from 1992-96.
This year Isobel, 12, will join John and Wilson on the four-day leg of the ride from Apollo Bay to Buninyong.
John said he and Wilson were both proud to have Isobel joining them in the ride.
“Isobel’s been involved in the Geelong Mountain Bike Club for nearly seven years now, and they’ve been awesome,” John said.
“And now she’s at the age where she’s got the stamina to be able to do these longer distances, it’s going to be really nice for the three of us to do it together.”
The trio rode their first extended event in the Little Vic, a four-day event in March and April this year.
“It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, because I’ve done cycling for a while now, and it was great to do the whole ride together,” Isobel said.
“It was really nice, there were a lot of people who were willing to help if you got lost or weren’t sure what was happening.
“The volunteers were always super friendly and encouraging throughout the ride and at the camp.”
Wilson said the social side of the events was fantastic.
“We’re all there together, and it doesn’t matter what job we do or what our background is, you just talk to everybody,” he said.
“Everyone’s equal, you can comfortably talk to anyone, whether it’s having meals or whatever.”
John said the relaxing nature of the rides was one of the most enjoyable things about them.
“You can just really enjoy the simplicity of it all,” he said.
“When you wake up each day you’ve got nothing to do but eat some, ride some, camp a bit. It’s just nice and simple.
“You forget what day of the week it is, none of that matters. It’s just a case of getting up, jumping on the bike to get to the next camp, hanging out with friends and being social.”
The Great Vic Bike Ride is a fully catered, tent-based holiday, with extensive on-route support, luggage transfers, entertainment, a medical team and bicycle repair facilities.
To register go to greatvic.com.au.
