Cycling, enjoying the festivities, whatever, Rutherglen’s Vintage Bike Ride promises to be bigger than the large one last year.
With Anzac Day falling on a Friday this year, the Rotary Club of Rutherglen has taken the opportunity of the long weekend to conduct its second annual Vintage Bike Ride.
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One of Australia’s most revered champions from the 1970s and 80s, Don Allan, an Olympian and winner of 15 Six Day races, heads a great lineup.
Don has the honour of being the first Australian to win a stage of a Grand Tour, at the Vuelta d’ Espania in 1975.
SBS TV commentator, stage winner in 2000 Giro di Italia, and Australian road champion David McKenzie will also take to the local trails along with Olympic bronze medallist and dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Wayne McCarney from Adelaide.
Formerly of Echuca, world championship bronze medallist David Dew will be part of the fun, along with his father Brian, a star rider from the 1960s and 70s.
Shepparton’s Stephen Fairless, 1988 Olympian and 2015 World Masters Champion will be back for his second Vintage ride.
Best known for his sheer strength on the bike, Steve is the proverbial gentle giant.
Former SBS television Tour de France host Mike Tomalaris will make the journey from Sydney to participate as a rider and to interview the former champions.
No matter your background, if you want to enjoy a pleasant and safe day out on the bike, with a chance to win some great prizes, sign up for what is planned to be a fun day.
The inaugural event in 2024 drew 231 participants and it is envisaged that the success of last year will encourage even more in 2025.
A fundraiser for charity, the 2024 ride supported MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Australia and the Rutherglen CFA.
The supported charities in 2025 are the Australian ParaCycling Team and the Wahgunyah CFA.
The prime fundraising tool is a raffle with a first prize of an E-bike valued at $3000, second prize from Scion Wines valued at $500 and many more.
Bring your bike and come ride with the legends
Landmark attractions include the Rutherglen Convent, which is the start and finish of the ride.
The Rutherglen Wine Bottle, celebrating its 125th anniversary, is a way point and Rutherglen Loops trail network will be partly utilised as riders make their way to the lunch at Cofield Wines in Wahgunyah.
The ride is supported from Destination Rutherglen with sponsorship local businesses.
Fancy dress or vintage dress, best bike and clothing combination and best old bike will be rewarded, with prizes to encourage a fun and inviting atmosphere.
It all begins at the Rutherglen Convent where a display of Australian Olympic, Commonwealth Games and other team bikes will be highlighted along with associated memorabilia.
Upon registration, riders will receive a goodie bag and can enjoy a coffee on the deck at the Convent.
The ride leaves from the Convent at your leisure between 10 and 12 o’clock and swings around past the Wine Bottle, where each rider will receive free entry into a prize draw for some Cofield Wine.
At Cofield Wines, another display, this time of vintage bikes, will accompany a relaxed lunch break between 12.30 and 2pm.
Anyone who has a vintage bike, an odd bike or a bike they are particularly proud of is encouraged to bring it along.
Following lunch, it’s back to the Convent.
A free drink and snack welcome the riders back to happy hour between 4-5pm when local musician Pat Russell will play live from 4-7pm.
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