King Valley Wineries await cyclists

ALMOST 4000 riders will enjoy the thrills of the North East hills when they take on the VicRoads Great Victorian Bike Ride this month.

Starting on November 25, the 512km bike ride will begin at Wangaratta, stop overnight at Beechworth before continuing through Tallangatta, Mt Beauty and over the Tawonga Gap to Myrtleford.

Riders will then wander past the wineries of Whitfield and the King Valley, pace around the hills of Mansfield and Yea before enjoying a downhill surge into Whittlesea.

Lavington’s Trish Daniel is looking forward to completing the challenge after a mishap forced her out of the event on the Great Ocean Rd in 2003.

“There were more than 8000 people that year and a little boy in front of me stopped and I had nowhere to go,” she said.

“I broke my thumb and had to pull out of the ride, so I missed all the views.”

This will be the third time Ms Daniel has joined the nine-day event.

Celebrities Sue Stanley, a world aerobic champion, and Artie Rocke, a contestant on The Biggest Loser, will join the ride to raise money for diabetes.

A fundraising concert for the ride featuring James Morrison and guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan will be held at Gapsted Winery on November 28.

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Published in the Border Mail, 15 Nov 06. Archived 16 Nov 06

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