Ararat’s start line for the 10th Anniversary Grampians ‘Ride to Remember’ has set a new record, with 550 motorcycle enthusiasts arriving on Sunday.
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The event raises money for the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation – Ararat Branch to support East Grampians Health Service and honours the memory of Victoria Police killed in the line of duty, signified by a minute’s silence prior to the Ride.
The Ararat RSL car park was packed on Sunday morning as riders assembled and the Lions Club had to re-stock on food to cater for all the participants.
The four-hour route included the townships of Lake Bolac, Wickliffe, Willaura, Dunkeld, Halls Gap, Pomonal and Moyston then back to Ararat for a barbecue and Show ‘N’ Shine.
This year the route was extended to 234 kilometers to include the spectacular route from Dunkeld to Halls Gap via the Grampians National Park.
Coordinating this year’s Ride to Remember involved huge support from Victoria Police, and ride coordinator Dianne Radford praised those who helped out.
“The Grampians Ride to Remember requires a lot organizing and importantly the involvement of our local police whom we are indebted, in addition to the State Solo Unit with this year four coming up from Melbourne,” she said.
“They do a fantastic job and are ably assisted by our volunteer marshals and support crews, who for the last few months under the guidance of Chief Marshall, Simon Clayfield rode the ride route many times and addressed all the safety aspects.”
Leading the ride out of Ararat was patron Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner of Road Policing Doug Fryer, together with the police solos to the raising of the flags by Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation chief executive Neil Soullier, Ararat branch’s Terry Weeks, Ararat Rural City deputy mayor Gwenda Allgood, East Grampians Health Service Board President Matt Wood and retired long time motorcycle supporter to the Ride, David Rosengreen of Ararat.
The ride has raised $100,000 over the past 10 years and organisers hoped to to raise $15,000 this year.