Luckily, volunteers like Brian 'Bear' Bearpark donate their time to help out.

A traffic management supervisor by day, Bear's helped out at the event for about nine years.

"Cancer's touched my family, so it's a good cause, I'm happy to help out," he said.

The event, on February 16 at Lake Wendouree, is Ballarat's Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute's major annual fundraiser.

It's had a massive 12 months, making breakthroughs in bowel cancer and beginning an ambitious new breast cancer research project, which indicates how valuable community support is - this year, they're aiming to raise $300,000.

The cycling events include mountain bike trail rides, laps around Lake Wendouree, and the more challenging road events, which have various distances including the inaugural SPUD 100, a 100 mile - or 160 kilometre - ride around the district in honour of Danny Frawley, who was a long-term supporter of FECRI and the Cycle Classic.

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But to run all these events, about 200 volunteers are needed.

This year, organisers are calling for businesses to team up and help out - like Bear's road crew at Fulton Hogan.

More than a dozen employees help him by closing down Lake Wendouree's roads and intersections at 4am on the day, and they usually clock off about 12 hours later.

He's keen to emphasise they're all volunteers, and it's always rewarding on the day no matter the role.

"If you can donate even a couple of hours to the cause, it'll help the Fiona Elsey cause out tremendously," he said.

There's plenty of other ways to get involved, like cheering riders on as a course marshal, assisting at rest stops - the Mount Egerton Fire Brigade will be helping out on the SPUD 100 course, for example - or helping at the finish line to collect donations, sell raffle tickets, and cheer on people finishing.

Organisers are hoping anyone who can play an instrument, or would be keen on dressing up and cheering along the course, would come out on the day to make it even more exciting for participants.

To volunteer, phone 5331 3101, or to register for one of the bike rides, visit ballaratcycleclassic.com.au

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