Arapiles bike ride cancelled

This year’s Arapiles Cycling Event is another event to fall victim to the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

An organising committee confirmed cancellation of the event at a meeting on Sunday night and will now start planning for an October 1 event next year.

Event manager Mark Radford said the decision to cancel the event was based on various issues surrounding the pandemic.

These included: Rising COVID19 case numbers; COVID-19 compliance concerns; financial viability of the ride; restrictions on riders being able to train for the ride; uncertainty about St John Ambulance availability; and welfare of volunteers and riders looking forward to the event.

Other concerns were that three key groups of riders were disadvantaged; accommodation challenges regarding South Australian, Melbourne and other visiting riders; a challenging six months ahead involving COVID-19; and the likelihood of more lockdowns.

“We appreciate the wonderful support that we have received so far from around Victoria,” Mr Radford said.

He said a process of refunding riders who had already registered and paid to take part would start this week.

The event had been scheduled for October 2 this year.