Strathbogie Shire to host the Great Victorian Bike 2010
Bicycle Victoria announced that the United Tourism bid for the Great Victorian Bike 2010 has been successful.
The route will start in Yarrawonga, then wind down through Dookie (Day 1 overnight), ride through Violet Town and up into the Strathbogie Ranges (Harry’s Creek Rd) before a downhill finish in Euroa (overnight day 2 - 28th Nov) then across to Waranga Basin and Murchison (overnight day 3), past Goulburn Weir and Kirwan’s Bridge before staying 2 nights in Nagambie for the rest day (arrive 30 November and rest day 1 December) before heading into Mitchell and Murrindindi shires and finishing at Marysville.
Fast facts: Last Saturday in November 2010, starts Saturday 27 November until 5 December 2010
- Cycling participation event over 9 days – the largest of its kind in the world
- 4,000 – 5,000 people plus support staff
- 88% of riders are Victorian, 11.6% interstate riders and 0.4% overseas
- Of the Victorian riders 52% are from metro and 37% are from regional centres
- $2.04 million estimated direct spend by participants based on (2001) spend $21 per head and (2008) $35.00 per head, while gourmet Western Australia GVBR event in 2008 estimated @$93.00 per head)
- Return visitation – 73% will return
- 83% will bring at least 1 – 4 people with them on their return visit
Many people like to sleep in a comfortable bed for the rest day – so tourism operators may start getting queries as early as this weekend once it’s announced- especially around the Nagambie region.
Entries for next years ride do not open until March and are capped at ~5,000 so they usually book out pretty quickly.
The Tourism and Events team is really looking forward to working with all operators to provide a great experience for all participants, as well as developing tours and activities during the rest day at Nagambie to entice them back for that return visit.
There will also be lead up events scheduled prior to November and training rides are popular too.
Great news for the launch of our new 4 Shire United Tourism brand (once we have one- after consultation scheduled for early in the new year) and reason to celebrate!
Catherine Macmillan, Manager, Tourism & Events
Strathbogie Shire Council, PO Box 177 Euroa, VIC 3666
Tel: 03 5795 0059, Mob: 0400 648 434, www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au