Great Victorian Bike Ride volunteer Peter Lees gears up with son Sam for a bit of father-son bike action.
By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE cyclist Peter Lees rates the Great Ocean Road bike ride as one of the toughest.
He should know. He has conquered the scenic, but challenging road three times in his 12 rides as part of what Bicycle Victoria calls Australia’s largest bicycle holiday – The Great Victorian Bike Ride.
The 55-year-old bus driver and father of eight-year-old budding cyclist, Sam, will enjoy the ocean views for a fourth time in November, this time as a volunteer.
Last year was the first time Mr Lees gave his knees a rest and worked solely as a volunteer. On all the other rides, he combined riding with lending a hand.
His schedule went something like – start peddling around 7am, stop for a half an hour for lunch, dismounting at the campsite around noon and pitch in with jobs around the camp.
He thoroughly recommends either riding or volunteering, and says for anyone contemplating joining the 2010 ride, signing on as a volunteer this year would be a great way to get a feel for what the event is all about.
Around 500 volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs from catering through to medical, route marshals, luggage and providing information.
Kylee Elkington, Bicycle Victoria’s Volunteer co-ordinator, said volunteers make the ride happen.
“Without them, there would be no Great Victorian Bike Ride, it is that simple,” she said.
This year the volunteers will be looking after 5,000 cyclists, of all ages, and from a variety of backgrounds.
Ms Elkington said volunteering on a major event such as the Great Victorian Bike Ride was a great way of meeting new people and developing life-long friendships.
It’s a sentiment Mr Lees wholeheartedly endorses.
“I catch up each year with people I have known for years, people who keep coming back to do the ride time and time again,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic experience which is well organised. Every year you see some improvement and it just gets better and better,” he said.
For more information on how to sign on as a volunteer, visit www.greatvic.com.au or phone Bicycle Victoria on 1800 616 600.
The 546 kilometre 2009 Great Victorian Bike Ride starts on 28 November in Portland and ends in Geelong on 6 December. In between is some of the most spectacular scenery in Victoria.
