New cog in Rutherglen wheel

Take a look in the beer garden of the town's historic Victoria Hotel and there's a string of bikes hanging from the ceiling, draped with flags and thongs to celebrate Australia Day.

Hotel owners Sean Morris and Sarah Pilgrim have collected antique and retro bikes to display themes throughout the year.

Known affectionately as "Mrs Brown's Flying Bicycles" the bikes have been donated by Rutherglen residents and keen cyclists.

"We have seen a big increase in the number of cyclists coming to stay for cycling holidays," co-owner Sarah Pilgrim said.

She also runs the dining room that is known as Mrs Brown's.

Destination Rutherglen Tourism officer Lennie Lister said Rutherglen was becoming a cycling mecca with lycra-clad cyclists of all ages and abilities enjoying the region's cycle tracks.

"Since the completion of the Wahgunyah-Ruth-erglen section of the Murray to Mountains rail trail, we have seen a big increase in cyclists," he said.

"People come here to enjoy the wine, the river and also the cycling with routes that cater for all ages and abilities."

The Tour de Rutherglen in November attracts hundreds of cyclists to the region.

Mr Lister said there were plans to expand the Tour de Rutherglen.

"We are also introducing an event in May called Sweet Cycle which will be a 25km, 100 per cent recreational ride held in conjunction with the High Country Harvest Festival," he said.

"It will be a wine and food journey offering such treats as high tea and sherry with charcuterie.

"Rutherglen is well suited for the recreational cyclist -- it's pretty flat around here with just a few hills."

Mr Lister said the town attracted cycling groups that stayed for several days -- a welcome boost for the local economy.

Keen international cyclists Elizabeth Dinsdale and Rob Edwards, who are scientists at San Diego State University and who have been holidaying in Australia, said they couldn't wait to get to Rutherglen once they heard of its cycling.

"It's a great way to discover the wineries and also get some exercise," Ms Dinsdale said.

"It's such beautiful countryside and we have been very impressed with the region so far."