IT WAS a sea of fluoro yellow and orange on Saturday morning at Lake Wendouree, as hundreds of cyclists kicked off the 25th Great Victorian Bike Ride.Participants were out early in the chilly conditions, gearing up for the event's official start at 9am.Riders came through the big blue archway in dribs and drabs, ringing their bike bells.Children in tandem seats, middle-agers, groups of excited teenagers and more than a few grey heads began the trek under cloudy skies for the nine-day cycle trip through western Victoria."I've done it every year since it started," said Harry, 55, from Melbourne. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."On the edge of Ballarat, barely beyond the city limits, some cyclists pulled over for mechanical repairs."I didn't expect to get a puncture this early in the piece," a woman from Wendouree said.By early afternoon, cyclists had poured into the tiny township of Rokewood, turning farming paddocks into a gigantic tent city complete with portable toilets and showers, a bar and café, an entertainment stage and market area.In the medical and recovery building (the Rokewood Golf Club) Ballarat physiotherapists Tony Crocker and Charles Flynn were leading a team of nurses and students treating injured cyclists.The only pub and nearby takeaway food store did a roaring trade while cyclists were in town, and several residents ran trash and treasure stalls in the main street.Publican Kerry Gawley said the ride was great for the town, with about 500 patrons expected in and around the pub during open hours."We're spending a lot of money in wages and it all goes to local people, it spreads the money around."Helena Kirby, the owner of the takeaway shop for the past eight years was working 18-hour days to prepare for the riders."We'll close when it stops," she said.Over at the local hall though only about 20 people were at a bush dance to raise funds for the community.