Charity ride hits the road

Acharity event raising money for East Grampians Health Service while recognising fallen police officers will roar to life on Sunday.

Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Ararat branch Grampians Ride to Remember has attracted about 500 motorcyclists who will ride a 197-kilometre circuit from Ararat and through the Grampians-pyrenees region.

Registration starts at 7am at Ararat RSL and a safety briefing will begin at 8.30am in the RSL car park.

Police will have the honour of starting the ride at 9am, when they will wave chequered flags.

The Ararat branch hopes to raise $65,000 for x-ray equipment in the John Mcnally Medical Imaging Department at East Grampians Health Service in Ararat.

Spokesman Dean Pinniger said a wide variety of groups and organisations would be present on the day.

“There will be display tents from groups such as Psychs on Bikes, an organisation that focuses on mental health, and the police Blue Ribbon van will be selling merchandise,” he said.

“Ararat Lions Club will provide lunch at the Alexandra Gardens.”

Mr Pinniger said the event also supported communities and businesses in the Ararat region. “It’s been a difficult thing to arrange because of COVID-19, but we have chosen not to cancel it this year,” he said.

Mr Pinniger said the event would be consistent with COVID-19 mandates and assured the safety of Ararat community was a priority for organisers.

“We have made sure that all riders who are attending are double vaccinated,” he said.

Mr Pinniger said the ride had been going strong for 14 years and had benefitted many people in Ararat.

“The organisers hope the ride will continue year-after-year,” he said.

Circuit

Participants will travel through rural countryside within Ararat and Pyrenees municipalities.

Riders will stop for a 45-minute break at Des Brennan reserve at Buangor.

The group will then head onto Raglan, Elmhurst, into the Pyrenees via Wimmera River valley, Glenlofty and onto Malakoff forest.

The riders’ final leg will be through Landsborough before heading back via Crowlands to lunch in the gardens.

ACE Radio, Ararat RSL, Horsham Harley Davidson and Shannon’s Insurance are sponsors of the event.