Generational ride for cycling family

The familial riders were awarded the Tony Barter Award at the conclusion of the ride on the weekend, given to the family of riders that best demonstrated the value of riding together on the Great Vic Bike Ride.

“The award was for a family, based on the idea that families that ride together, stick together,” Mr Kydd said.

“We were chosen as the family that represented that.”

“It is named after a volunteer (Tony Barter) who founded the WARBY (We Are Right Behind You) team, who hold things like spare wheel tubes and just keep everyone happy during the ride.”

Mr Kydd said the reason the group took on the Great Vic Bike Ride was greater than just completing the ride as a family.

“It's to teach my kids resilience, achievement and a sense of adventure.

“What else can you do in a safe environment, with so many other people, that can teach them those life lessons and sense of adventure?”

Last week’s five-day ride went well for the entire group, Mr Kydd said.

“It was cool. We got a few showers of rain, but overall, we were pretty lucky.

“The Great Vic organisers have changed the ride, so people of all abilities are able to take part.

“My kids, aged 11 and 13, took part, and did last year too.

“Usually around the age 10 and 11 is the lower limit for doing it by themselves.

“Although, there were families we saw this year with kids as young as two doing it.

“I think the oldest this year was 87.”

Mr Kydd said he first took part in the ride when he was a teenager and was keen to pass his experience onto his kids.

“I did the Great Vic Bike Ride when I was a kid every year, from ages 13 to about 21.

“It is pretty special and there is no event around that you can do like it.

“It is relatively well policed and a lot of the routes get closed off for the riders.

“This year I think is the 41st year; it's been going for a while.

“They had 1800 riders this year. I think the biggest year was 8000 they now cap it at around 3000.”

Despite fluctuating conditions, Mr Kydd said it was a great experience and the family are looking forward to next year’s edition.

“The weather is all part of it.

“Most of it was tailwinds, which was nice, and when we did get headwinds we were mostly sheltered, so we were fairly lucky.

“My mother-in-law did it on an E-bike. This year was relatively flat; there were a few hills, but nothing too difficult.

“We are absolutely planning to do it again next year.

“My youngest daughter is eight, turning nine, and is keen as mustard to do it as well, but if she wants to do it next year she’ll have to do a lot of training.”

“The biggest day is just upwards of 100km.”