Well over 300 cyclists set off at 8am to ride the Bellarine Peninsula. There were two distances, a 60km inner Bellarine circuit (via Drysdale, Wallington, Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads) and 105 full circuit, via Portarlington, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove & Barwon Heads.
Every cent of the entry fee went towards the world-wide eradication of Polio (which is now only endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan where there is still resistance to inoculation). The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is matching every dollar with another two dollars.
Several Cycling Geelong members were among the throng, including Doug and Paul (105 circuit) and Carol (65).
Video of the 105km start off…
The registration tent was buzzing from 6:30am! As well as the mundane process of signing on and receiving event bibs, we had requests for wheel nuts (from a rider who’d fixed a puncture the night before, and somehow left the quick release nut at home), one rider who’d managed to register twice, and a couple of lucky riders who’d won either a free entry or a beautiful new hybrid Giant bike (for raising the most money).
At 8am, compere Keith Fagg counted the two groups of cyclists down at the start line. A couple of enthusiasts jumped the gun, but, as it is a ride, not a race, there were no points to lose and there were smiles all around.
Video of the 65km start off.
The homeward straight. Carol was spotted on St Albans Road, still riding strongly after almost 60km.
