Bulletin – September 2017 – GVBR Ride Update

The VetRide theme for the Great Victorian Bike Ride is World War 1 and the Western Front.

Whilst the events of 1917 are beyond living memory for anyone much younger than 90, they still have significance, one hundred years after the horrors of that time brought about the loss and shattering of so many lives.

For further information see eg, ‘The Third Battle of Ypres (31 July – 10 November 1917), which has come to symbolise the horrors associated with the war on the Western Front. It is frequently known by the name of the village where it culminated – Passchendaele.’

The VetRide GVBR 2017 Event Jersey

The Flanders Fields Remembrance Day Poppy – flowering in the spring of 1915 on the battlefields of Belgium, France and Gallipoli this vivid red flower has become synonymous with great loss of life in war.

The armbands – two of the colour patches for the ‘1st Anzac Cyclist Battalion AIF’. The cyclist battalions were organised like infantry, with four companies of four platoons. When II ANZAC became XXII Corps in 1917, the Australian cyclists of the 2nd Cyclist Battalion returned to the Australian Corps as reinforcements. – ‘A century afterwards, they ride again …on you ! ’

The ride starts from scenic Tidal River, where you will soak up the natural and unspoiled beauty of Ninety Mile Beach, before cycling through South Gippsland to the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The itinerary is:

Sat 25 Nov | Day 1: Wilsons Prom.
Sun 26 Nov | Day 2: Wilsons Prom – Foster (60km)
Mon 27 Nov | Day 3: Foster – Yarram (69km)
Tues 28 Nov| Day 4: Yarram – Seaspray (90km)
Wed 29 Nov | Day 5: Seaspray – Bairnsdale (109km)
Thu 30 Nov | Day 6: Bairnsdale (rest day)
Fri 1 Dec | Day 7: Bairnsdale – Maffra (84km)
Sat 2 Dec | Day 8: Maffra – Glengarry (77km)
Sun 3 Dec | Day 9: Glengarry – Trafalgar (50km).

A number of the members of our Planning Group will be participating in this ride, so as to provide support and ongoing advice you may need during the event.

There are about 4000 riders of varying experience on the road each day and for reasons of safety and a more enjoyable ride, it is important that we act as a team. One of the members of our Planning Group will act as a leader each day and the expectation is that you will look after your team mates and share the responsibility for everyone’s wellbeing.

Further information can be found here:

VetRide GVBR 2017 Entry and Declaration

VetRide GVBR – Letter to Riders

Or on our page: https://vetride.org/great-victorian-bike-ride-nov-2017/

Look forward to seeing you!