Hundreds set for memorial ride

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Traffic Doug Fryar will raise flags to signal the start of the ninth annual motorcycle Grampians Ride to Remember on Sunday.

Assistant Commissioner Fryer, unable to ride in the event because of a motorcycle accident, is patron for the 196-kilometre tour.

Two Victoria Police motorcyclists, with support from Northern Grampians region members, will travel with the riding group.

Volunteer marshals and support vehicles will also be involved to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride for an expected 400-plus riders gathering in Ararat.

Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation – Ararat Branch hosts the event.

All money raised from Sunday’s ride will go towards the Jason Bond Perioperative Unit project at East Grampians Health Service’s Ararat Hospital.

The ride will start from Ararat Performing Arts Centre precinct in Barkly Street at 9am and travel on sealed roads throughout the rural countryside within Ararat Rural City and Northern Grampians Shire municipalities to the fringes of Grampians National Park.

It will take in the townships of Moyston and Pomonal before travelling around Lake Fyans and Lake Lonsdale, arriving at Halls Gap for a 45-minute morning tea break.

The ride then travels through the Grampians to Yarram Gap Road, on to Willaura, Maroona and back to Ararat for a barbecue prepared by Ararat Lions Club in Alexandra Gardens.

At the gardens riders can enter their bikes in a show ‘n’ shine. Entry into the event is free with prizes and trophies on offer.

There will also be a people’s choice section with Ord’s Motorcycles Ararat donating a motorcycle helmet for the winning entrant.

There will be a lucky draw for those nominating their motorcycle choice.

For the first time, limited edition t-shirts and baseball caps can be pre-ordered online with registrations.

Coinciding with the ride, East Grampians Health Service Aged Care Auxiliary is putting on a movie night showing The World’s Fastest Indian at Astor Cinema Ararat on Saturday night. People can buy movie tickets online when registering or directly from the cinema.

The 2017 ride perpetuates the memory of Jason Bond and Victoria Police members who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Ride registrations cost $30 for riders and pillions and include a complimentary barbecue lunch pass and a show-bag with a commemorative 2017 Grampians Ride to Remember badge and complimentary bottled water, which will be handed out following the event.

People can register online at www.trybooking. COM/NPTU and view www.remember.org.au for more information.