This year was the 10th annual Ballarat Tweed Ride. Due to popularity as well as rising insurance costs, for the first time ever we had a paid ticket price, which was capped at $10 thanks to council support. We expanded our best dressed and best bikes prize categories and had prize donations from Grounded Pleasures, Kilderkin Distillery and Sovereign Hill. This year we also gave all our participants are ribbon on registration.
Because it was a special anniversary, we had a custom tourism poster from Trav Price. He also was an absolute gem and custom-made us a commemorative pin (both of these are available on the Ballarat Tweed Website). I also hand-illustrated a map of the ride route.
We sold out of tickets. I had to release a bunch more. We had the most participants ever at over 130 and the council organised to have us ride on the road with a vehicle escort. We also, for the first time ever, had a fair afterward at the Ballarat Civic Hall. It was such an amazing day with so many firsts.
I slept the entire next day because it absolutely destroyed me. More on that another day though.
Above are some of our best dressed. Below is my ride with my friend Lisa on the back, because she wasn’t able to ride, so I gave her a lift.
Pat Duffy, a professional… I think a prop maker? He makes puppets and all sorts for theatre shows. He made these absolutely spectacular helmet covers. When it came to the award for best helmets there was no denying who was getting the rosette. I get very excited that a little event I put together bring people like this and their creativity to it.
Participants waiting to start the ride. This year we found out about 2 weeks out that major road works and a major sporting event were also on our usual route so we had to make some changes to direction.
Two cycling icons in one photo. Charlie Farren has been to most of our rides as has Dan Bolwell (Penny Farthing Dan). Dan also supports me by being available for photos when we are promoting the event in the Herald Sun. Dan won best penny farthing. Charlie won awards for her tricylce and her outfit.
These two treasures have been many years. This year they came on bicycles and won the ward for best group.
In the back here you can see my buddy josh who wore a tartan tracksuit and looked fly as heck. I cackled when I saw his outfit.
Above is a photo Evelyn took of me handing out our top award of the day. Below is myself with councilor and local legend Belinda Coats. Belinda has been to almost every ride and is a regular cyclist when not in tweed attire. I loved her jacket and had almost bought it from the same store.
These are a couple of photos taken by Clare of Clasch Design who made the suit I am wearing. I had so much fun making it with her and she seemed to get excited about it too. Can’t wait to make something else with her.
Finally, a pic Lisa took while we did our lap of the lake. Cannot wait for next year.
It looks like so much fun! I love your outfit this year too. So many dapper ladies and gents!