Small groups of cyclists set off from different corners of the electorate on Sunday for their “ride for Cathy”.

The orange-clad riders started from Wangaratta, Beechworth, Bright and Albury and converged in Myrtleford for a barbecue lunch.

Wangaratta cyclist Loretta Atkin said the day was about supporting the candidate while getting the chance to meet others who have volunteers during the campaign.

“We’re just doing it because we love cycling, we love the North East, we love Cathy and we want to keep the seat orange,” she said.

“It’s a sense of community that we have as well.”

The ride also acted as a fundraiser, costing $20 per person towards the campaign.

Ms McGowan met the group in Myrtleford for the barbecue.

Mrs Atkin said people have more skills than they realise and she was happy to use her love of cycling to contribute.

Volunteers were quietly confident Ms McGowan could retain the seat.

Volunteer Anne Shaw said the “ride for Cathy” was an example of how the group wanted to run the campaign: bringing people together from across the electorate.

“Cathy is very keen on connecting people,” she said.

“The campaign structure is ensuring people contribute to the campaign the way they want to.

“As long as people come in and have fun, they can do anything.”

The Cathy McGowan volunteers have stepped up their campaigning this week in the theme of “keep the seat orange”.

Supporters planned to take the slogan literally - orange painted chairs had already started to pop up across Indi in photographs shared on social media.

“There will be seats, benches, lots of creativity,” Ms Shaw said.

She said volunteers’ attitude was “we take fun seriously”.

The Wodonga volunteer hub opened with a party on Friday night and will be followed by similar hub openings at Benalla, Mansfield, Eildon and King Lake.