IMAGINE the small town of Moyhu increasing its population of 200 people by 20 times.
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That will happen early next month when the Great Victorian Bike Ride has an overnight stay in the King Valley.
It is anticipated about 4000 people will arrive and bring with them a massive financial windfall.
The ride will also be a financial boon for Albury where the event starts with competitors arriving on Saturday for an overnight stay.
On Sunday, they will ride 67 kilometres to Yackandandah and on Monday they have an 88-kilometre trip to Bright.
Then comes the 93-kilometre leg to Moyhu and the town’s action group has planned a hospitable welcome.
Moyhu Action group member Neil Jarrott said the riders would be housed in individual tents at the football ground and a nearby adjacent paddock.
Mr Jarrott said the event was like a moving town with trucks having showers, toilets, their own catering, water and generators.
A street party would be held for the riders, locals and for anyone in the region who would like to attend.
Mr Jarrott said there would be eight to 10 food stalls, a similar number of winery stalls and market stalls.
His group had been working for a long time with the Wangaratta Council in preparation for the massive influx.
“It is estimated each rider spends $35 daily on the trip,” Mr Jarrott said.
“That is over and above what they are supplied with.”
So he is expecting a significant financial boost for the town’s businesses like the general store, hotel and a recently opened cafe.
Mr Jarrott said Moyhu is the smallest town hosting an overnight stay on this year’s itinerary.
He said the event had an overnight stay in Whitfield about six or seven years ago when it last came through the region.
“The town was awash with people,” he said.
There is likely to be a long-term benefit for the small town according to statistics provided by the organisers.
They show 70 per cent of participants return within 12 months to towns where they have stayed overnight.
The ride continues from Moyhu for 86 kilometres to Mansfield, which is followed by a rest day.
The riders then go to Alexandra, Healesville and finish at Lilydale.
