Turning the wheels of a great escapade
IT was a big step up for Naomi Heller from day trips around the suburbs of Melbourne, to the nine-day 550-kilometre Great Escapade bicycle ride in Western Australia.
DANNY GOCS
IT was a big step up for Naomi Heller from day trips around the suburbs of Melbourne, to the nine-day 550-kilometre Great Escapade bicycle ride in Western Australia.
Heller, 54, of North Balwyn, was among 1850 cyclists from around Australia who descended on the popular West Australian wine region of Margaret River for the event, which was organised by Bicycle Victoria earlier this year.
The ride began on March 28 in Margaret River, travelling through Busselton, the Tuart Forest, Capel, Donnybrook, Bridgetown, Manjimup, Pemberton, Augusta before finishing in Margaret River on April 5.
Each day’s riding ranged from 50 to 95 kilometres. After five days of cycling, there was a rest day in the town of Pemberton, with shuttle buses taking riders to local attractions.
“It was a great experience and a lot of fun,” says Heller, who travelled with two friends from her student days and left her husband Elli and three sons at home.
“We usually started cycling at about 8am and everybody goes at their own pace. The event attracts people of all ages and fitness levels.”
For each stage of the ride tents, personal gear, food and supplies were transported ahead by staff —- and volunteers —- of Bicycle Victoria.
“It was like a military operation, so well organised. The staff put up the tents in the camping grounds, prepared meals and organised everything by the time the riders arrived,” she adds.
Participants were provided with three meals a day, transportation of their luggage, medical services, massages and even entertainment at the campsites.
Along the route were support staff, who offered help with fixing tyre punctures and provided energy drinks, sweets and words of encouragement.
Margaret River is about three-and-a-half hours south of Perth and has become famous for its leading wineries, boutique breweries and quality restaurants.
The area has spectacular scenery featuring national parks, surf beaches and Karri forests.
Established in 1975, Bicycle Victoria is a self-funded community organisation aimed at encouraging people to enjoy cycling.
While it concentrates on activities in Victoria, it organised its first interstate ride in 1990.
Since then it has organised more than 20 interstate rides as well as several overseas events.
A ride is scheduled in Queensland next year and one in the North Island of New Zealand in 2012.
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