THE 40th anniversary tour of the Great Victorian Bike Ride (GVBR) is set to make its way to Myrtleford this Sunday, November 24 with a party in the town piazza to celebrate the occasion.

Starting in Wodonga on November 23 and ending 501kms later in Healesville on December 1, the GVBR is the biggest multi-day bike ride in the Southern Hemisphere.

Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack said road users will notice the extra bike riders in their local areas and asks them to be mindful when using the roads.

“With 2700 bike riders, including 750 school students taking part in the event we do ask other road users to plan ahead and allow extra time if they need to travel on the route.

“We’d like to thank locals and visitors for their cooperation and patience during the event.”

More than 2000 participants are expected to stay overnight on Sunday, November 24, accommodated at Myrtleford Recreation Reserve and will have the opportunity to sample the best Myrtleford has to offer.

“It will be a lovely day for the visiting bike riders and also the local townspeople to enjoy,” Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce secretary, Kerry Murphy said.

“We will host a lazy Sunday session in the public piazza to welcome riders and let them enjoy and savour the local hospitality, with music, food and beverages from 2pm to 6pm.

“We will have a shuttle bus running from the rec reserve to the piazza and we want visitors to enjoy our businesses while they’re here.”

Gapsted Estate Wines will offer a selection of local vintages, St Paul’s Anglican Church will provide a Devonshire tea service, La Coppa food van will be on site to sustain the hungry masses as they dance the afternoon away to the sounds of musician Terry Lockwood as well as The Friesians, featuring Tracy Hamilton and much more.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Myrtleford Cycle Centre owner, Steve Connor said.

“It’s going to be a fun day, with lots of people coming into town.

“We’re normally closed on Sundays, but for the event, the store will be open all day, from 9:30am to 5:30pm.

“Mostly, the event will bring in a lot of people to talk to.

“I believe the idea is to do something similar with the route to when they started the event 40 years ago.

“I went to the planning meeting in August and I was impressed by the number of people there.

“There was interest from at least three community organisations in town; even the golf club is going to do something, I think.

“The event is well supported, as it should be.”

Community and sponsorship engagement officer at Gapsted Estate, Chris McKnight, said they were excited to be a part of the GVBR celebrations.

“We’re looking forward to meeting all the riders at the town piazza to showcase our wines and celebrate the Alpine Valleys as our adventure playground,” Mr McKnight said.

“Our stall will be open between 2pm and 6pm.

“Come by, have a chat and enjoy a nice glass of wine!

“I’m an avid cyclist myself and I’ve eagerly followed along with the Bike Ride over the years.”

The GVBR will be reimagined in the coming years with the event likely to be spread out over fewer days and visit fewer towns.

For more details visit: www.greatvic.com.au