Finally, the skies clear as the riders head for Wonthaggi

NEVER again, said the Lord, would he destroy all living creatures in a flood lasting 40 days, but it certainly felt like he’d reneged on the deal when more than 2000 riders descended on Gippsland last Sunday, December 3 for the 2023 Great Victorian Bike Ride.

The heavens opened in biblical proportions from the time they rode out of Bucham headed for Orbost and the deluge didn’t let up, even when they were riding up the long climb out of Foster, towards the Hoddle Ranges, with the wind and rain in their faces on Saturday bound for Fish creek.

Almost 400mm fell across two days in East Gippsland, and didn’t stop then, and in the hills above Yarram, at Ballook, there was more than 350mm, swelling both the Tarra River and Albert River, on either side of Yarram, to major flood levels.

At Alberton, 5.5km south of Yarram, the Albert River closed the South Gippsland Highway on Friday night, while the Thompson River was doing likewise up the Sale end.

As the riders went to bed on Friday night, many of them in damp clothes from the days of rain, they didn’t know if they would be able to continue the scheduled ride to Fish Creek.

But the tide dropped, Moses parted the waters, and while the rain continued, the highway was reopened, and the annual pilgrimage could continue.

Finally, on the last day of the ride, “hallelujah”, the skies cleared and the first rays of sunshine in a week hit the riders backs as they left for Inverloch, a ride around the spectacular Bunurong Coastal Drive, and the finish point at Wonthaggi, with a tail wind behind them for good measure.

It was simply superb.

But the riders were philosophical all the same.

“These are the ones you remember,” said a veteran of many Great Vic Rides.

Two visitors from Alice Springs, Rudy and Lester, enjoying lunch at Long John Pickles in Fish Creek on Saturday, weren’t at all concerned about the rain.

“We come from Alice Springs. We’ve never ridden in the rain before. It’s beautiful and cool.”

Mind you, they’d book a nice Airbnb up the Prom Road for the night.

So, it’s all well that ends well, although there was a sobering side to the ride as well.

Such were the conditions and the state of the road between Paynesville and Sale on Wednesday, November 29, that the police declared that all riders under 18 would have to bus through to the next stop.

Upwards of 500 riders reportedly bailed out, among them Cr John Schelling of the South Gippsland Shire Council, who admitted he went home to Leongatha for a shower and some dry clothes during Thursday’s rest day at Sale.

“I wasn’t going to go back but I was on the ride with my daughter,” said John.

And, nothing to do with the ride, but a woman had to be rescued from her car when it became caught in the floods at the intersection of Gelliondale Road and Forest Lodge Road at Alberton West on Friday night.

The organisers have, however, hailed the ride a success.

“The 2023 Great Vic Bike Riders have victoriously ridden into Wonthaggi today (Sunday, December 3), the last stop on one of the most challenging Great Vic Bike Rides ever.

“A week ago 2000 bike riders, volunteers and support staff started in Orbost and rode through Buchan, Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, Sale (2 nights), Yarram and Fish Creek.

Caitlin Borchers, Bicycle Network General Manager of Events claimed the 2023 Great Vic had been “a fantastic week and everyone finished on a cycling induced high”.

“According to veteran riders it has been the wettest Great Vic Bike Ride since the 1985 and 1988 rides,” she said.

“One highlight that needs to be experienced to be appreciated is the community spirit of thousands of like-minded individuals intent on having a good time,” says Ms Borchers.

“With riders aged from two to 86 it’s an amazing active holiday.

“We have had great support from the local Gippsland communities, as well as the 300 volunteers and support staff,” she said.

On route to 540km of riding, the riders received an especially warm welcome in Yarram, Foster, Fish Creek, Inverloch, Wonthaggi and towns along the way, particularly given the difficult conditions endured by the riders.

While Port Albert missed out on hosting an overnight stop, the Yarram community scrambled to provide a warm welcome at pubs, the bakery and other retail outlets, while organisers run buses down to the Port for riders to enjoy a fish’n’chip dinner.

The 2024 Great Victorian Bike Ride will be in the North East of the state, going from Wodonga to Healesville.