With 3500 riders stretching up to 50 kilometres along the road, you may have spotted the Great Victorian Bike Ride this week.
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But there’s one cyclist that stands out.
Catherine Nitz is pedalling the entire nine day tour on her unicycle. The 18-year-old from Queenscliff in Victoria has been eyeing the ride off from a distance and a new wheel made all the difference.
"I've been riding a unicycle for about two years and the Great Vic was on my mind and when I got my big wheels, my 36-inch wheels, I thought, ‘I just love riding unicycles – why not?’"
Catherine is riding with her mum, Monica Nitz, who opted for two wheels. They are both feeling the pinch after four days in the saddle.
“I'm feeling pretty tired. I'm okay - a bit puffy. I'm doing the full nine days with my mum – she's on a normal bike. She's feeling the same way - possibly a little more tired.”
For Catherine – there’s a special technique that comes with balancing on one wheel.
“You definitely can't coast down a hill - so there's no break when I'm riding. I can't brake, I can't stop!
“Mount Stanley was long and steep but I got up it and it was a lot of fun. I don't need more breaks than a two-wheeler. I stop at all the rest stops and it depends on whether I stop for lunch. Today being the second 85 kilometre day - we did stop twice more.”
On day four of the iconic North East ride, Catherine and Monica cycled to Tallangatta from Beechworth through the stunning backdrop of Dederang and Gundowring.
“Some of the views today looking across the Kiewa valley and coming into Gundowring – we could see creek lines. Riding along the ridge coming down into the valley – it was beautiful.”
Organisers of the event, Bicycle Network, say the Mountains to Murray ride has been a success so far with more than 1000 students on the event, from both primary and secondary schools.
“Counting the riders, volunteers and support team there are around 3500 people on the event, and with three meals a day for all, that’s 10,000 meals dished up daily!” a Bicycle Network spokesperson said.
“The riders have been pushing on through the warm weather, but spirits are high and we’re really excited by the show Tallangatta is putting on.”
Riders streaming into Tallangatta on Wednesday afternoon were greeted by the Two Wheels Street Festival featuring music and entertainment, retail and food vendors. The ride has not passed through the Towong Shire since 2006.
“We’re thrilled to host an overnight stay in Tallangatta as part of this year’s Great Victorian Bike Ride,” Towong Shire Council Mayor David Wortmann said. “We know this stop is expected to inject $100,000 directly into the local economy, but the biggest value is return visitors – we want to show this year’s riders why Towong Shire is the ideal place to come back to!”
“With Council completing the street scaping works as part of Destination Tallangatta – the timing for the ride couldn’t be better!” he said.
This year marks the 35th annual event of the Great Victorian Bike Ride but for Ian Winstanley, it’s the first time on the ride, joined by his wife and another couple from Sydney.
“The hardest part was climbing up Mount Stanley – it was a bit of a shock! I really enjoyed today. We came down from Beechworth – I was wearing a Wallace and Gromit t-shirt and everyone was saying ‘Keep up lad!’”
The 59-year-old is completely smitten with the alpine valleys of the North East and the kind weather. He is from the north of England, after all.
“The country side is just beautiful. Victorians have been very hospitable to us. We’re really enjoying it – it makes us feel that we want to come back and see more of the country – and do more rail trials. It’s a revelation to see this part of northern Victoria.”
The five day and nine day rides began in Bright on Saturday, wound their way to Beechworth, looped Milawa, traversed to Tallangatta and will arrive in Rutherglen on Wednesday for a much needed rest day. The riders then head south for Benalla stopping in Yarrawonga and Glenrowan in the final days.
Ian and his entourage signed up for the five day ride. “It’s been great to see the Victorian alpine country and we’re looking forward to seeing Rutherglen. Some of the scenery we’ve been riding through has been reminiscent of the UK with the rolling hills – although in the UK we’re not riding through vineyards!”
The Tallangatta to Rutherglen route is the longest yet at 102 kilometres, on top of the two 85 kilometre days they’ve just pedalled. And the legs?
“Sore!” Ian says. “The legs are feeling it a bit now after three days.”
Some riders like to get on the road early and leave at 6am, while others take their time. Ian’s crew left Beechworth at the respectable hour of 7.30am and rolled into Tallangatta around 2.30pm.
Catherine says the best part of the ride has been the reaction from the towns.
“Everyone is really happy to see me out on the road and a lot of people stop and have a chat."
"There are some great reactions from other cyclists. Generally people who are watching on the side of the road, will smile or laugh or give a joke. A lot of the cyclists overtake me and yell out, ‘You're my hero!’ and that's inspiring.”
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