Cycling royalty at Rotary bike ride

PICTURED: Australia’s Tour de France legend Phil Anderson.

Cycling enthusiasts from near and far gathered in Victoria’s north-east for the 2025 Vintage Bike Ride, a Rotary Club of Rutherglen event celebrating community, cycling legends and charity.

The 2025 Vintage Bike Ride, the second under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Rutherglen, Vic, was held on Saturday 26 April. The ride, in the north-east of Victoria, commenced and concluded at the Rutherglen Convent, with a barbecue lunch provided at Cofield Wines, Wahgunyah.
More than 130 of the 215 people attending the event travelled long distances (some over 500km) to enjoy the festivities, thus providing a welcome boost to local accommodation, restaurants and service providers.

At Cofield Wines, former SBS cycling commentator Mike Tomalaris interviewed celebrity attendees, including Phil Anderson (the first non-European to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France), Don Allan (the first Australian to win a stage in a Grand Tour and the winner of 15 six-day cycling races), Wayne McCarney (dual Commonwealth Games Gold medallist and Olympic Games medallist), John Trevorrow (three-times Australian Champion, three-times Sun Tour winner and media personality) and Rotary Club of Rutherglen’s own cycling celebrity Greg Griffiths (over 10-times Victorian cycling champion, Australian championships medallist, UCI International Commissaire and the only Australian to be Chief Commissaire at an Olympic Games, in London 2012).

Many participants rode on the long-established Rail Trail but others utilised sections of the newly completed Rutherglen Loops Bike track, which connects most of the wineries in the region. A display of Olympic and World Championship bicycles and vintage bicycles captivated those who attended.

Following the ride, live music, complimentary wine and snacks ensured a convivial atmosphere for the presentation of prizes and the raffle draw.

The event and associated raffle raised $12,600 for the club’s nominated charities – the Australian Paralympic Cycling team and the Wahgunyah CFA – and was generously supported by local business sponsors.

The success of the event was very much due to the participation of Rutherglen Rotarians, partners, friends and other helpers, who all assisted on the day and on days prior and subsequently.

Another Vintage Bike Ride will be held on 11 April 2026. All Rotarians, family and friends are invited to note the date, visit the Rutherglen area and join in the ride.

For more information on the 2026 Vintage Bike Ride, scan the qr code or visit www.rutherglenrotary.org