Book description
Western Victoria provides a varied and fabulous environment for
cyclists, from excellent beaches to spectacular mountains, from
interesting towns to remote forests, and from easy to challenging
riding. Featuring 75 great rides, including 25 kids' rides, giving the
youngest cyclists a chance to develop their skills in safe surrounds.
The book aims to introduce some of the many bike trails in and around
the Grampians, Horsham, Murray River, Ballarat, the Central Highlands,
Bendigo, Central Victoria, the Shipwreck and Surf Coasts, Geelong and
the Bellarine Peninsula. The rides range from short rides, suitable for
beginners or younger riders, to mountain bike rides and longer bike
trails that demand a reasonable degree of fitness and skill. Each of the
rides described are rated to give a guide as to what to expect. There is
also a location map and directions to help navigate you through the
ride. Sandra and Craig started their cycling life together riding out
with friends on Sunday mornings exploring the countryside around
Geelong. From that enjoyable experience they advanced to bicycle
touring, a healthy way to spend their holidays. Growing up in Ballarat
and Rosebud, they, like so many of their generation, had got around
everywhere on bikes and taking it up again came fairly easily, although
Craig had really never hopped off. Many years later they continue to
share their love of cycling with their two children, Athalie and Edward,
who are well experienced in fun rides, touring and club. The pair have
progressed from being towed around in a 'caboose', then to 'tag-alongs'
and finally to racing in club and state championships. The family's
major achievement together has been completion of the challenging 2009
Great Victorian Bike Ride along the Great Ocean Road when Athalie was
only eleven. Based in Ballarat, there are not many places in the west of
Victoria the family has not visited and ridden around. Sandra, Craig and
the kids belong to the Ballarat Bushwalking and Outdoor Club and have
been actively involved in the organisation of the annual Ballarat Autumn
Day (BAD) ride that attracts many riders to the magnificent cycling
country Ballarat has to offer. Sandra is currently a teacher with the
Ballarat Secondary College, whilst Craig is a social planning
consultant.
