Ride to Remember Ararat and Grampians 3rd & 4th Feb 2024

Pics: Jules (unless otherwise credited).


Official Report: Event organiser Dianne Radford

2024 GRAMPIANS ‘Ride to Remember’ … great success on a hot day! Over 500 riders and pillions took part in the 2024 Grampians “Ride to Remember” held on Sunday, February 4th . The impending hot day did not deter the many motorcycle enthusiasts from right across Victoria plus others from interstate taking off from Ararat earlier in the day from the Ararat RSL carpark. The Ride, a signature regional event, this year was one of the largest ever and was heavily supported by Victoria Police plus two Police Solos, an Ambulance Victoria solo in addition to 18 volunteer marshalls together with both vehicle Support and Medical Support as the backup. Prior to the Ride taking off, Acting Superintendent Joanne Janes led the Safety Briefing and acknowledged the participation of eight police units involved in the green corridor event and reminded riders motorcycle safety on the day was paramount, and especially as the day would build up with hot conditions predicted around lunchtime when the Ride arrived back in Ararat. Patron, Paul Margetts then invited everyone to join him in the minutes silence to remember the 175 Victoria police officers killed in the line of duty which was followed by the important safety brief by safety officer, Simon Clayfield. The Ride was waved off at 9am sharp up Barkly St then left into Vincent St on its journey via the rural countryside to Pomonal where the well organised local community banded together to serve up morning tea for everyone plus also had volunteers on hand helping out to raise extra dollars that will go toward the upgrade of the Pomonal Tennis Courts. After departing Pomonal, the Ride travelled around both Lake Fyans and Lake Lonsdale then headed to Halls Gap and up to Lake Bellfield before returning back down through Halls Gap where riders were able see the procession of half the bikes going the other way which a number of riders have reported back that this was one of the highlights of the Ride. On the return back through Pomonal, Moyston and Ararat riders were greeted at Alexandra Gardens by a band of volunteers in hot and windy condition and the complimentary bottled water and d the Ararat Lions Club luncheon packs were eagerly taken up under the shade of trees in the gardens. The Shown N Shine again attracted good entries and judge David Coone handles his tasks in the professional way as per the many years previous and in quick time so prizes could be presented. Ride Chairman, Dean Pinniger and MC for the day, then pushed proceedings along knowing many would have to get back on their bikes for their journey home, as the afternoon would be hot before the expected cool change. Dean in acknowledging said: “Today has been a big day all round from warm conditions this morning to hot and windy conditions here now at Alexandra Gardens. We are indebted to Victoria Police, led by Sgt Shaun Allen who was the Forward Command and his team for a great effort not only today but with all the preplanning required beforehand, the assistance of the police solos and ambulance solo, to Deb Francis who did her first stint as the Chief Marshall together with her band of marshals plus not forgetting the Support Crews, both vehicle and medical who are essential to us having a safe and enjoyable ride. In addition this Ride just doesn’t happen, it entails an inclusive community including great support from major and support sponsors together with great assistance from our Ride Sub Committee, the Ararat Rural City and in particular their outdoor staff, Ararat RSL, Ararat Lions Club, AME Systems, Ararat Motorcycle Club, East Grampians Health Service, the Blue Ribbon Foundation, Ararat Branch members and partners and the many community volunteers who help us each year to bring together such a great event for the Ararat & District Community.” Ararat Branch President Dianne Radford in presenting a cheque to East Grampians Health Services Board Vice Chairman and CEO Nick Bush said: “The Ararat Branch of the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation is extremely proud to present this second donation of $40,000 towards our current project, the $135,000 General Ultrasound which is now operating in the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation Wing. This has only been possibly through your support to last year’s Ride, and from this year’s event we should be able to hand over the final donation in the next month or so. Thank you everyone here today and those who attended the successful Welcoming Dinner on Saturday night for not only participating but showing your generosity to us and the Pomonal community. We look forward to welcoming you all back to Ararat for the 2025 Ride the first Sunday in February.”

Some of us left from Geelong Maccas with Mal leading. We met Sue and and Dave in Inverleigh and then proceeded to Linton for Stan and Marlene to join us. From there it was over to Beaufort to meet up with the Melbourne crew led by Gentle. After lunch in Beaufort, Gentle led the entire group on a scenic backroads route to Ararat.









Below: Relaxing at the motel on Saturday afternoon









The entertainment ....





Sunday morning dawned and we all headed around the corner to the Ararat RSL to check in and await the official briefing and start













9.00am sharp and away we go. With multiple Vic Police escorts and all side roads closed



Pics immediately above and below courtesy of Dave Nicholson via R2R



Arriving at Pomonal for morning tea



A sea of motorcycles


Above: Photo credit Ron Hummell



Back at Alexandra Gardens in Ararat for lunch after the ride





Map credit: Stan Kluzek



Many thanks to Mal for organising the accommodation for us all and leading the Geeelong to Beaufort leg of the ride. Thanks to Ron for leading Beaufort to Ararat and the Sunday ride home. Thanks also to Don for being tail End Charlie.

Excellent report Jules! Well done! It looks like everyone had a fantastic weekend!