Riding independently from the Deniliquin High School’s team, Fisher and Campbell say they spent the entire time drenched, battling strong winds and challenging riding routes.
“We were riding into 60km/hour winds most days, rode hundreds of kilometres up mountains and there was at least an inch of water in our tents each night,” Fisher said.
“Branches and sticks were being blown all over the roads, we were being pelted with rain- four days of water running off the handle bars like a tap.
“We also had damp clothes every day, because they would still be dripping when we had to get back on the road the next day.
“There was just never any time for them to dry out.
“As well as being physically challenging, it would be the most mentally challenging ride I have done.
“The conditions just slowly ground me down.”
Fisher started participating in the Great Victorian Bike Ride 10 years ago.
He has participated every year since making this ride number seven, because of the COVID-19 years shutdowns.
He said there were times he said to himself last week ‘I just can’t do this any more’, but was proud the pair could finish the ride together.
“My gears also went in the last two days, so I was stuck in fourth gear and only managing about 17km/h,” Fisher said.
“But we pushed through and we made it.
“Although I must admit that when I got home I thought ‘I’m too old for this’.
“There were about 2200 people who started the ride at Orbost, but I think only 400 finished the nine day ride.
“The route was 540km, but I reckon we did an extra 70km/h because of the conditions.
“And we were also riding through floodwaters.
“People were being blown off their bikes and there were a few injuries.
“It really was a lesson in survival.”
The annual Great Victorian Bike Rode offers nine day, five day and three day rising routes.
The 2024 ride will be held from November 23 to December 1, and will be the 40th anniversary ride.
The full route is to be released next year.
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