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Thousands of cyclists rolled through Bendigo yesterday, drawing the Great Victorian Bike Ride to a close.
More than 3000 eager bike riders converged with family, friends and supporters at White Hills cricket ground, after an epic 540km ride over nine days.
For some, it was the ultimate family bonding experience: Albury-based Maloney family took the opportunity to see the Goldfields landscape.
Michael Fox, of Melbourne, could be seen cycling on a tandem bike for five riders, with his two daughters and their boyfriends.
Year 10 students Juliette Pierre and Molly Cooper, from our Lady of Mercy College in Heidleberg in Melbourne, completed the ride with their school trip.
"This is the hardest thing I've ever done," Juliette said.
"I was definitely out of my comfort zone, but it was better than doing it by myself," Molly said.
"It was supportive and we were able to stay physical."
Great Victorian Bike Ride chief operating officer Darren Allen said the key to the big event’s success was the sense of community and working together.
“It seems to be connect people that make it through triumph and adversity,” Mr Allen said.
“Whether it’s pouring rain or blazing hot, they're all in it it together.
“When people are having a tough time, if their tent has blown away or they have a puncture, people seem to just really dig deep.
“It’s those simple values that people probably forget in their busy day-to-day lives.”
He said there were riders of every age demographic, and whether they were eight or 80, they all danced together on the last night.
“We all eat together under one big marquee. There is no priority seating, and it’s the volunteers who quite literally make the event happen,” he said.
He praised Bendigo and the surrounding towns for their hospitality during the ride.
“This was one of the best groups of riders we've had on the road for a very long time,” Mr Allen said.
“Some of these great towns, that maybe don’t get a lot of tourists, I hope they benefit not only this week, but that the businesses and community will see the benefits for years and years.”
The group were served up plenty of egg and bacon rolls thanks to volunteers at the sporting ground.