Great Vic Bike Ride, Part 2

Riding the GVBR for me was something totally new, totally fun and actually quite challenging. Not because of the event itself, but because we had to film it whilst actually riding it. As Director of the show and presenting, it felt like I had balls in the air the whole time and wasn’t quite sure if I was doing anything well at all! 

First riding with Vandy is always a great leveller. Regardless of how fit I feel, or how crap he feels, he always destroys me. I guess you get that with world champions! Our crew were the real stars of this double episode adventure. They turned themselves inside out to keep up, film, drone, record audio, catch up, get ahead, not get in the way, be at the camps when and various points of interest along the way before got there, film overlay, film interviews, take direction from Vandy and I at the same time as we took direction from them, and above all else, stay calm! And on and on for 5 days. This is whilst negotiating roads populated by 2500 other riders! It was some effort. I think we have the best crew in the business. 

I think the GVBR is so much more than a group ride. Yes, it went through beautiful countryside in the western districts of Victoria and was some of the best riding I’ve ever done, but it's the chance to meet people from all walks of life and share the joy of riding that is its true charm. It’s the randomness of the things you see along the way, things that you could never see or appreciate in a car, and the welcoming towns that are all so happy to have 2500 people descend on them, fill their pubs, restaurants (and bike shops) that made it an experience I’ll never forget. Riding with Vandy for 5 days was also fabulous. The chemistry you see on screen is real. He’s just a ripper guy, and so much fun, works so hard and is a natural at this TV thing.

That’s what the GVBR gave me that I wasn’t expecting. Closer ties to friends, the crew, the locals and a real understanding of the depth of beauty in this part of the world. I’m will definitely be coming back with my wife in summer, to do it all again, but with a caravan to link the best bits together. The Colac to Port Campbell Rail Trail is top of that list. Just stunning (oh, and we didn’t get time to check out the new trails at Forrest, which are supposed to be a blast). I hope you got that too from the episode too - the desire to explore this stunning region on your own Trail Towns holiday.