The Saxons are hunting horse troughs.

One you start, the Saxons say you can find the concrete troughs all over Ballarat, including busy thoroughfares like Main Road, Pleasant Street and Gillies Street.

Their challenge is to find them, across town and the wider district, then get photographic evidence with the bike with prizes for which riders can plot the most.

Saxon Jamie Govan said this treasure hunt was a way to encourage riders to get out and keep active with an added purpose and a way to remain engaged with the club.

They are not the first to take on the mission. There are websites dedicated to people collecting photos of Bills horse troughs across the state.

Mr Govan said the move to try it on bikes was a bit of fun.

"You ride past and drive past them all the time but might not ever realise," Mr Govan said. "They're right out and around the district, mostly on main roads. There are some that are harder to find, like the one in Dean behind the pub on the reserve and there's one in Symthesdale at the equestrian centre.

"It's a bit of history."

Mattress entrepreneurs and animal welfare champions George and Annis Bills created a trust to construct a water source for working horses from the 1930s in Victoria and New South Wales. Some also feature smaller side bowls for dogs.

Mr Govan said there was a chance the club could expand its findings further afield in Victoria. Club members also rode to avenues of honour about the district on Anzac Day as a way to pay their respects.

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