The arrival of spring in Victoria is a time of renewed optimism for us, the cyclists.

Ditching the winter jackets and the long-sleeved kits, we take advantage of longer-lasting daylight and prepare ourselves for the bombing maggies that await.

But above all, it is an opportunity to make use of the warming conditions to do what we love the most – jump back on the bike.

For some, it means dusting it off as we take it out from the back shed, with the realisation that things may need a little tune-up ahead of our next ride.

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BIKE MATTERS IN TORQUAY

In the seaside town of Torquay, Jake Millburn of Bike Matters feels the enthusiasm in the air, as locals and visitors alike take to the roads and trails of the region. Millburn, who moved down from Melbourne over a decade ago, is still awed by the cycling culture that exists on the Surf Coast.

“I was pretty much blown away by the amount of riding and how massive the cycling community is,” Millburn said.

As proud locals, Millburn and the Bike Matters team are big advocates of the region, whether it be on the roads, the trail or the gravel.

“The road riding is spectacular because we’ve got these amazing roads in an iconic location at the start of the Great Ocean Road.”

The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race features two elite one-day classic races alongside a mass participation event – the TAC People’s Ride, which explores Torquay and the Surf Coast via the start/finish area in Geelong. The annual January event is just one of several beloved cycling events in the area that attract visitors for its natural beauty and the relaxed atmosphere of the towns that dot the coastline.

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