The ride will begin in Ballarat this year, with local business owners, organisations and residents called upon to help plan the event.

Despite only a small turnout to the first community meeting in Ballarat on Tuesday night, the plans for the nine-day event are a step closure to fruition.

Bicycle Network’s general manager of events Darren Allen said the community meetings were designed to inform the public about the event and encourage them to get involved.

“We need as much information as we give, so we look for people in the community to guide us with what will work ... quite often local knowledge goes a long way,” he said. “We want to make sure the towns benefit as much as possible. Community groups can really benefit from some of the fund-raising, and with 3500 cyclists coming to town, we hope businesses can benefit, too.

“There is a basic formula to get it right and it’s a town which supports cycling.” 

The Great Victorian Bike Ride hasn’t been held in Ballarat for eight years.

Kicking off on November 28, riders have the choice of a three-, five- or nine-day ride.