Organisers of a North East corporate charity cycling event on Saturday make no apology for the 164-kilometre route.

The Hunger Ride, which starts and ends in Beechworth, aims to raise $125,000 for Foodbank Victoria, which assists more than 100,000 people every month.

Foodbank Victoria chief executive Dave McNamara, one of about 28 riders taking part, said as well as money, the cyclists wanted to raise awareness that one in five children went to bed or school hungry.

“Those kids, if they’re not well-nourished, they’re not learning, they’re not socialising, they’re not even reacting in a positive manner,” he said. “It’s distressing for the lucky country, a country that’s an exporter of food.”

After leaving Beechworth, The Hunger Ride travels through the Buckland Gap, the Great Alpine Road to Porepunkah and a 1723 metre climb up Mount Buffalo.

The riders then wind down Yackandandah Road, tackle Mount Stanley and finish back in Beechworth.

“It’s a hard ride, it’s 164km, and again that’s to signify how hard it is for a lot of families,” Mr McNamara said.

“When there’s not food on the table, it affects people’s self-esteem, they lash out, they go inside themselves, they fall prey to addictions.

“It’s a downward spiral and it affects not just yourself but those around you.”

Ride ambassador and retired professional cyclist Baden Cooke, like many people, once thought only the homeless or destitute needed Foodbank’s assistance.

“But it’s not the case at all, the majority of the people they help are working families,” he said.

“They have to pay their mortgage or they have to pay their rent, they have to pay the other things and they get to the end of the week and they’ve got no money for food. It’s regular people who just can’t keep up, it’s kind of crazy and it’s quite confronting.”

Cooke, who won the green jersey in the 2003 Tour de France, was born in Benalla and attended school in Wangaratta. He turned to cycling from running, found he loved the tactics of racing and still enjoys riding every day.

“It’s therapy for me,” Cooke said. “When I don’t ride, I don't feel right, I don’t function well, I’m not as productive throughout the day as when I’m riding.”

The Hunger Ride cyclists vary in ability but Cooke said the group planned to stick together – mostly.

“I’m thinking that once we hit Buffalo, it will be every man and woman for themselves,” he said.

To donate, go to thehungerride.com.au.