Ms Byrne only started taking up cycling seriously about five months ago. The transition in leg speed from her spin class at Hot Temple, in temperatures above 30C, was one major change but so too were the extra awareness and bike handling techniques needed to be safe out on the road.

And Ms Byrne has loved it.

She is part of an all-female riding group in Ballarat called the Hummingbirds, mostly aged 20 to 40, and the 5.45 group - named for their 5.45am start time during the week.

With their support, Ms Byrne can hardly wait to test her endurance in this Sunday's Ballarat Cycle Classic and support Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

Originally, Ms Byrne had planned to ride with her dad Stephen Byrne, who she has long cheered across the line in his Classic adventures. He was unavailable to ride this week but Ms Byrne is officially registered to represent BJT Legal, where her dad is a director.

"My dad was diagnosed in 2014 with multiple myeloma, which is a blood cancer, and his fine now," Ms Byrne said.

"But I'm doing this also for the fact I know a lot of people who have someone they love with cancer, whether it be family members or friends."

She was 14 at her father's time of diagnosis. He has enjoyed riding a lot for fitness and it was in a family trip to Lorne last year they met the GORCs - Great Ocean Road Cyclists. That was a key turning point for Sophie getting out on the bike more.

Ms Byrne said her dad helped get her bike skills up to speed. She linked up with the Hummingbirds after searching for a group to ride with via Cycle City.

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Now, Ms Byrne rides with a group most mornings and heads to the gym where she teaches spin and Pilates.

"I was a bit afraid to get out there, as a female on the road but even coming here (Hot Temple) and especially joining a female group in the Hummingbirds, Ballarat is really welcoming overall for cycling," Ms Byrne said.

She encouraged anyone thinking about going for a ride this Sunday, to get out and go for it.

Ballarat Cycle Classic is the major annual fundraiser for FECRI, Australia's only regional cancer research institute. The home-grown FECRI does not receive any government funding.

The Classic also features mountain biking, virtual rides, family walk and rides. A delay to the Classic date has also bumped the new half-marathon and 16km run start times back to 7.30am.

Distance road cycling offers courses from 50km to the epic SPUD100 (100-mile or 160km) about the region. Each road course takes in the Mount Buninyong climb, as featured in the cycling road nationals.

The Classic still needs extra volunteers to help with events on Sunday. To ride or volunteer, visit ballaratcycleclassic.com.au.