| Thousands of cyclists are heading to Heathcote in 2015 |
Thousands of cyclists are expected to converge on Heathcote as part of the 2015 RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride.
Heathcote Tourism and Development president Peter Maine said Bicycle Network’s announcement last week was ‘‘fantastic news for Heathcote’’.
Mr Maine said it would also provide an opportunity to show off the town’s facilities and the region’s attractions.
‘‘Cycling tourism is a growing market for our region and we welcome this opportunity to promote Heathcote — and Greater Bendigo — as a cycling destination to an estimated 4000 keen cyclists,’’ Mr Maine said.
‘‘The 2015 ride, which will take place from November 28 to December 6, has been themed ‘Rediscover the Goldfields’.
‘‘The cyclists will not only experience the diverse landscapes of the goldfields, but also some terrific wine country around Heathcote as well.’’
The ride will start in Ballarat before travelling to Avoca, Dunolly, Inglewood and Bendigo.
A rest day will be held in Bendigo to allow the cycling tourists to experience all that Bendigo has to offer before the ride heads off to Heathcote for an overnight stop then Castlemaine and back to Bendigo where it will finish.
Mr Maine said with as many as 4200 riders expected in Heathcote for the overnight stay, the economic benefits to the local economy would be significant.
‘‘The ride is a moving army, totally organised and virtually self sufficient,’’ he said.
‘‘Even the US Army has been out to previous rides to study how efficiently and effectively the organisers have been able to set up, knock down, move and set up again for thousands of people on a daily basis.
‘‘There are a number of levels participants can enter, in this year’s event an 83-year-old woman was doing her fourth or fifth ride and she finally decided she wanted to go the whole hog and pay to have everything set up for her when she arrived.
‘‘But you can go further and book into motels or B&Bs as part of your package.
‘‘But mostly this is a travelling tent show from centre to centre.’’
Mr Maine said the riders were expected to inject more than $1.2million into the local economies along the ride.
But he said, best of all, research had shown 72 per cent of riders indicated they would return to a town they visited on the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride within 12 months of the event.
‘‘The ride will also provide a range of fundraising opportunities at the campsites, rest areas and lunch stops for our local community groups and increases the trading opportunities for our local accommodation providers, food, supermarket, chemist and other retailers,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a spectacular opportunity to showcase Heathcote to thousands of tourists and gain great exposure through the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride marketing and media efforts.’’
Beginning in 1984 the RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride is Bicycle Network’s longest running annual event.
The ride is an affordable and fully-supported, bike-riding holiday that visits unique destinations across the state.
Heathcote last hosted a leg in 2005 and Mr Maine said some serious behind-the-scenes lobbying took place to get the event back again.
Bendigo’s last stage was in 1999.
‘‘We have been picked because we are close to Melbourne; we have such a diverse range of attractions, the layout of our town and, most importantly of all, the commitment of the community to making it happen,’’ Mr Maine said.
‘‘Now we have a year to make sure we have every base covered to show off Heathcote in the best possible light.’’
For more information about the 2015 RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride visit: https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/racv-great-victorian-bike-ride/2015/
| HAVE YOUR SAY!!! - What do you think about this story? Tell us here. |
|
