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    Cr Les Power sends the ACE Ride 20km riders including Rowan James on their way at Natimuk in 2019.

Arapiles bike ride cancelled

The entire September 22, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

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.



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

These included: Rising COVID-
19 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.

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 COVID-
19 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.