Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

There is no better way to experience North-East Victoria than to take in the sights on a bicycle. On Sunday, about 4,000 bike riders started the 2014 Great Victorian Bike Ride. They wound their way through the beautiful valleys and challenging hills to reach the lovely town of Yackandandah. It was the ideal way to start the ride, which is a fantastic promotional tool which emphasises healthy lifestyles. The daily spend is estimated to be $35 per rider and we know that many riders will revisit the area once they have had this wonderful taste. Today, the riders head out from Yackandandah, up the valleys, over the fantastic Tawonga gap and down into Bright. In coming days the riders will pass the vineyards, olive groves, wineries and eateries through Myrtleford, Milawa, Moyhu, Mansfield and on to Alexandra.

Locals also take part. I know Scott Cavandah from Yea Secondary College—Hi, Scott—and 30 of his schoolmates will be enjoying the bike ride. Congratulations to Bicycle Network for choosing the North East and to the great bike ride committee members like Moyhu's Max Baker, Neil Jarrott and Tina James, and all the volunteers and community members who ensure that the bike ride goes smoothly through their part of Indi. Well done, good riding and welcome back when you are finished!

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