CADEL’S CHALLENGE TO GEELONG
WITH just two weeks to go until the Swisse People’s Ride — and indeed the entire Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race — I think it’s time to issue a final challenge.
A challenge to the people of Geelong and the Surf Coast. A challenge to make this event great. Not good. Not very good.
It must be great and nothing else can satisfy.
Why can’t we dream and follow the lead of cities such as New York, London, Paris and Tokyo and dare to achieve greatness on a scale their famous events hold?
Where people build their year annually around preparing for their ride or marathon, while for others it’s a bucket list item they tick, and tick again and again.
I was once told about a comment Kevin Sheedy made comparing the situation of the Geelong Cats to the Green Bay Packers, regional teams punching above their weight to dominate their respective national competitions — the AFL and NFL. I see so many similarities when comparing our event to the aforementioned events. Why can’t we?
Dream to follow the lead of the Belgians who embrace their rides as a matter of intense pride and personal identity.
The thousands upon thousands lining the streets, gravel roads and cobblestones clapping and cheering the everyday punters living their dreams on their bikes.
Riding the roads of the historical Flanders Fields the day of, or before, the professionals contest the Spring Classics. It’s so special and it’s the people that make it special.
You see, to the people of New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Belgium and many more, it’s not just ‘another event’.
They are so much more than that. It’s almost like a kind of ownership mentality. A welcome to our region, our home.
Ride, or run, like the wind and we will help get you to the finish line. And when you’re done you must enjoy our hospitality, culture and history, and our absolute pride in our event and region. You just see it shining through in the faces of the locals.
There’s little, if no, complaining about momentary disruptions to their daily lives whether it be reduced access to your driveway for a few hours or traffic detours.
Rather it’s embraced, popup parties emerge and businesses capitalise in creative ways. I always think if they can close down the Champs Elysees in Paris ...
In my mind, events such as the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Swisse People’s Ride are simply an entrée.
The opening of the door to Geelong and the Surf Coast to a whole new audience globally, an audience that travel and spend.
An audience that engages and communicates on personal social media platforms, that talk to family, friends, ride groups and work colleagues. And it grows and grows and grows.
And for the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and Swisse People’s Ride to be game-changers for our region, we need them to be great and we need your help because you want them to be great too.
We can do this. REGISTRATIONS FOR THE PEOPLE’S RIDE CLOSE ON JANUARY 15. VISIT CADELEVANSGREATOCEANROADRACE. COM.AU