Cycling
3 October, 2025
Cyclists ready for Arapiles ride
Cyclists from across Victoria and South Australia are gearing up to roll into Natimuk tomorrow for the 2025 Arapiles Cycling Event (ACE Ride), a community bike ride that combines fitness, scenic beauty, and local hospitality.
Four distances are on offer — 105, 77 and 45 kilometres along sealed roads and a family-friendly 20 kilometres on the Big Sky Bike Trail — all clearly signposted with rest stops to refuel.
This year, a portion of rider fees will support Wimmera Against Cancer in Kids and the Natimuk Lions Club.
Horsham retiree Peter Hayes, 68, will be back on his pedal-assist e-bike for a third straight year, alongside other cyclists from the region.
“Oh, I’m pumped and excited,” he said.
“This is my third time, and the last two years were excellent, and very well organised.
“You start at Natimuk and a few dirt roads across the main highway, then you just go to the foot of the Arapiles and then back.
“So 10km’s out and 10km’s back, 20km round trip.”
He said the ride’s atmosphere keeps him coming back.
“Just like the ride and the scenery and the people the area is just a beautiful area, especially with the canola coming out and the woods and all that sort of stuff and the greenery,” he said.
His advice to others is very simple.
“Just come on up and get out and enjoy yourself,” he said.
The ACE Ride has grown into a tourism drawcard, with riders of all ages spending the weekend in Horsham and the Wimmera to cycle, sightsee and socialise.
It’s not a race — cyclists set their own goals and most roll along at 15–25 kilometres per hour, snapping photos of the spring scenery while the fastest 105km riders finish in under three hours.
The event typically attracts 25 to 30 cyclists each year, competing in various categories.
Online entries closed Wednesday night, but cash entries will be taken on the day.
The 105km riders will roll out at 8am after words of encouragement from Horsham Rural City Councillor Dean O’Loughlin; the 77km and 45km groups leave at 9am, and at 10am local legend Keith Lockwood will lead the 20km riders to Mount Arapiles.
All riders will return to Natimuk by 2 pm.