The 72-year-old Ringwood man was out for a leisurely cycle in country Victoria on Saturday when he became the victim of a random shooting, leaving him in hospital with head and chest wounds.

Mr Tennant was shot at least six times as he rode his motorised bicycle along the Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail at Everton about midday.

The gun shots were fired by a man inside a car.

At least one shot hit Mr Tennant in the head, fracturing his skull, and multiple rounds struck him in the chest, police said.

He had planned to ride to Beechworth before the unexplained shooting.

On Monday morning Mr Tennant remained in a stable condition at The Alfred hospital, as Armed Crime Squad detectives drove to the scene of the random shooting.

Mr Tennant's son, Nick, is expected to speak to media on Monday afternoon.

The details leading up to the incident remain unclear, with police relying on a vague description of the shooter as a man in a dark-coloured sedan who had a "small firearm".

Detective Senior Constable Elise Douglas told media on Sunday that the incident appeared to have been unprovoked, and Mr Tennant did not know his attacker.

"It's very early days into the investigation, however it does appear that the shooting was unprovoked," she said.

"At this stage it appears there is no connection [between the shooter and Mr Tennant].

"However we will continue to look at all avenues and all aspects of this investigation."

She said Mr Tennant was "very, very lucky" to still be alive.

"He's certainly shaken up by the incident. But he's recovering in hospital now and hopefully he'll be back out on his motorised push bike sooner rather than later," she said.

"There's no indication that cyclists are being targeted for using the rail trail."

Initially paramedics thought Mr Tennant  had fallen off his bike and hit his head, but further inspection revealed the gunshot wounds.

"Our paramedics treated him and then it was discovered that he also had pellet wounds to his upper body," an Ambulance Victoria spokesman said.

"He was taken to Wangaratta hospital and then flown to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition."

Armed Crime Squad detectives are appealing for public assistance and are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

- With The Border Mail.

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