The callous thieves stole 13 bikes from the school. 

Now they will be able to replace them with money donated from the Ballarat Autumn Day ride, which will take place on Sunday, May 1. 

The annual 50 or 100km ride donates a portion of its revenue to a special cause and for the second year in a row has picked the specialist school. 

Principal Kim Yearwood said she was surprised the ride organisers had gone to the school again. 

“We’re very happy that they thought of us again,” she said. 

Ms Yearwood said they now had beefed up security for where the bikes are stored. 

Ride organiser Gary Bunn said they were happy with the number of people to have signed up already. 

“We’ll have some more come on the day after they have a look at the weather,” he said. 

The forecast says there could be sprinkling of rain, but a tailwind back to Ballarat is also on the cards. 

Cyclist Pat Shaw said it was a great event for those after a social pedal. 

“It’s not only important (for getting people out riding) but also the amount of interaction it has, the amount of people that partake in the event,” he said. 

“They also get to explore some parts of Ballarat that a lot of people wouldn’t really venture out to on their bike generally.” 

Mr Shaw also said the some-600 riders were not all from Ballarat and so  would put some money in to the local economy. 

The bike shop run by him and his father Dennis donated a bike as an earlybird sign-up prize. 

Ride details and entry at badrideballarat.com.au.