Memories of a ‘great’ ride - 40 years later

Like so many of the Kyabram cycling community he did, however, catch the bug to be involved in the Great Victorian Bike Ride and has a number of wonderful memories — including some of the attached photos — from spending days on end in the saddle trekking across the state.

“It was Jack Coney and Bob Carling who got me into cycling. I was working in my own business and thought I have to get fitter,’’ he said.

“I followed them all around town and I’ve just kept going. I have gone from riding around the block to riding the mountains.”

Don’s GVBR involvement came via selective three day rides, where he would pick the mountainous sections, because Kyabram was so flat.

“I’d go to places I had never been before. I was well into my 50s when I did my first one and it led me to do the seven peaks,” he said.

For the uninitiated, Victoria's Seven Peaks Ride is an at-your-own pace cycling challenge, which runs from October to April each year.

It takes in Victoria's top Alpine Resorts on a road cycle adventure, going to the top of Mt Baw Baw, Mt Buffalo, Mt Buller, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Lake Mountain.

Don and other Kyabram crews always had a theory to avoid any congestion on the GVBR, which at its peak had 5000 participants.

“We would get up early and try to get out in front, which helped to stay out of trouble,” he said

Don recalled one event, that was simply called The Best of Both Worlds, which started at Halls Gap and went to Geelong.

He described himself as a GVBR novice in comparison to Jack Coney, but also said he had wonderful memories of non-cyclists challenging themselves through their participation.

“I’ll never forget Carolyn Dillon and Faye Glover, who had never ridden much. They did a great job as the GVBR has always been around 500km, with a rest day, a couple of easier days and a 100km day,” he said.

Don also shared some of the numbers fom the 2016 GVBR — 10,500 daily meals, 48kg of coffee, 1400 litres of milk and 15 boxes of bananas every day.

Mick McAuliffe

Now retired veterinary surgeon, Mick McAuliffe, took up cycling when he was 40, to keep fit and maintain a social group of friends.

He operated Kyabram Vet Clinic for 26 years and has lived in the town since he was four. He is also a veteran of 2016-17 GVBR events, although admits to regretting not having done more.

Along with Don Cook, his first was also The Best of Both Worlds, 4200 people starting at Dunkeld, riding part the 12 Apostles, through Apollo Bay, Surf Coast and then finishing at Geelong.

The following year, in keeping with the long time theme of the event, the ride was called Ride, Party, Camp, Repeat. It started at Foster and continued through Yarram, Seaspray and other Gippsland locations before finishing at Maffra.

“The first year was incredible. Riding from Halls Gap (we rode up Mt William before the tour) down to the Great Ocean Rd and, then, all the way to Geelong was an unforgettable experience,’’ he said.

“We even rode to Geelong and then back to Queenscliff so Don could finish it a day early.”

In 2017 he and the Kyabram crew slept inside the Foster veterinary clinic, which was owned by a riding compatriot. The event was later called off due to an unprecedented weather event.

Now living at Kialla Mick is no longer part of the Kyabram cycling scene.

He did admit that he and his former cycling friends regularly reminisce about the GVBR, things like trying to find your tent in the middle of the night after going to the toilet.

“It was often the boys’ responsibility to set up a ring of tents and bikes at each campsite so we could all camp together — a great time,” he said.

Susan and Peter Wearden

The dairy farming Weardens have always ridden bikes, but it wasn’t until their 40s that they tackled the Great Victorian Bike Ride for the first time.

The initial appeal was the challenge of riding the hills that faced them on the ride, along with sharing the experience with their sons Bernie and Patrick.

Outdoor people by nature, the camping component of the event fitted neatly into the family psyche.

Their involvement in the GVBR spawned a love of international cycling experiences which saw them pursue bike riding trips in Croatia, Denmark and Sri Lanka.

“Recently we have migrated to e-bikes that we load onto the back of our slide-on camper,” Susan said.

Like several of their Kyabram cycling colleagues The Great Ocean Road (2004) was the first ride for the Weardens. With their teenage sons, Susan and close friend Chris Pryde initially volunteered as parent helpers with the school, but it gradually built from that point.

A record 8100 riders took part in that 2004 event, making it a logistical nightmare for organisers, but Susan said riding the Great Ocean Ride was an amazing experience and made up for the challenges of organising the teenage participants.

“Chris and I went on three more rides between 2005-16 and vowed to never walk our bike up a hill again after the challenge of that first ride,” Susan said.

It was Susan and Chris who first brought Carolyn Dillon into the GVBR fold, her son Michael and Chris’ son — also Michael — both with the school group.

“In 2006, we were in severe drought, so we made the decision to park our cows in southern Victoria. This challenging time provided an opportunity for Peter to come on the ride with our then 12-year-old son Patrick,’’ Susan said.

“Although he was reluctant prior to the ride, Peter soon became a fan of the ride as well and approached future bike rides with enthusiasm.’’