A donation of $5 will go to the Bendigo Bank National Bushfire Disaster Appeal Disaster Appeal on behalf of each entrant in the community ride.

Bendigo Bank has established a national appeal in partnership with the Salvation Army to help those devastated by bushfires across Australia.

Cycling Australia is also encouraging all spectators at the five days of the national road championships to contribute.

"We look forward to providing a positive cycling and entertainment event for the whole family to enjoy, and to raise much-needed funds for those communities devastated by bushfires," Cycling Australia said in a statement on the opening day of the championships on Wednesday.

Members from the Buninyong and District Community Bendigo Bank will have a visible presence at each day of the nationals to help with donations.

The Gran Fondo is on the same course as the elite road race championships on Sunday and is open to any cyclists keen to take on the challenge.

Riders can complete as a many laps of the 11.6km circuit as they can in two hours.

Entries are $75 per person and for the first time a teams category is included.

The Gran Fondo starts at 5pm.