A SEA of cycling enthusiasts have soaked up the hospitality of Wangaratta over the last two days with their third stop on the 40th Great Victorian Bike Ride.
They have certainly had to deal with the weather elements after 2700 cyclists set off from Wodonga on Sunday to Myrtleford in heavy downpours, but they embraced the serenity of valleys between Yackandandah and Myrtleford.
Thousands of cyclists began rolling in to Wangaratta at about 10.30am on Monday after a quick stop at Brown Brothers Winery for an early lunch, with local police managing traffic as they navigated busy main roads to the showgrounds camping ground.
Rows of erected tents set the scene for the cyclists' two-day stopover in Wangaratta and they were able to ease their muscles in a mobile sauna, rehydrate from 10,000-litre water storages and take a stroll into Wangaratta's CBD shopping precinct.
Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack said to mark the 40th anniversary of the ride they took it back to where it all began.
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"The first ever ride was to commemorate 150 years of Victoria and also a journey that two gentlemen took on their penny farthings 100 years prior around the state," she said.
"This was the genesis of the ride and we have six penny farthing cyclists doing the ride as well as a whole spectrum of ages from toddlers through to a 91-year-old."
While the rain caused some issues with leaky tents, Ms McCormack said it has been perfect weather for cyclists as the early morning starts haven't been too hot and there's also been no wind.
Volunteer Hayley Gorman from Oakleigh was on her third ride and she has loved riding through the valleys and scenery the region has to offer.
"The few hills on racecourse road into Yackandandah were not nice but downhill into Yack was pretty awesome," she said.
One of the Warbys (we are right behind you) Alan Leenaerts' first ride was in 1988 and he has the special job to assist riders when things go wrong.
"We are road cycle support and help people with their mechanicals when they get stuck on the side of the road and hold their hand if they pull a heart string," he joked.
"The first day is always busy and people need to be taught how to use their gears, put their forks around the right way and how to use their brakes."
In all seriousness though, he said the support mainly consisted of repairing tyre punctures.
One of the schools participating, McKinnon Secondary College, had 60 students on the ride and teacher Paul King said they have been doing the bike ride since the 1980s.
He's familiar with the region as his sister lives locally and he said year 7, 8 and 9 students have enjoyed the ride so far.
Several cyclists took on a loop ride to Lake Mokoan on Tuesday morning to check out the sights and although they weren't able to swim in the lake as they did 40 years ago, they were treated to the unique outlook before heading back to base camp.
It will be the last Great Victorian Bike Ride in its current format as Ms McCormack said it is really cost prohibitive and doesn't have any government funding support or sponsors.
"Over 200,000 riders have done this and it brings in huge economic benefits to the town and we also surveyed riders and more than 70 per cent said they will come back to the region within 12 months," she said.
"Over the years the costs have really grown and in future we'll be looking to stay in each location for longer and have less site movements to reduce costs.
"We might stay in a community two or three nights and cyclists will ride to the tourist sites and spend more money in local communities."
Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant said it has been fantastic seeing all the people in the city and it's a great economic benefit.
"Cyclists have had time to have a look around Wangaratta and hopefully they will come back to visit," she said.
The cyclists departed Wangaratta via Greta to Mansfield on Wednesday morning.
