He also collects Art Deco pieces and prefers to travel on two wheels.

For the South Yarra IT worker, the Rutherglen Tweed Ride is simply made to measure.

He found out about the annual ride a little over four years ago.

“I was interested in the London Tweed Run and in my research found the Rutherglen one was up and running,” he says.

Having completed his third Rutherglen ride on Saturday with friends Louise Vecchi and John Sherwood, Mr Leening says he looks forward to a different itinerary and course each year.

“A lot of people come from Melbourne for the ride,” he says.

“It’s just a good day out.”

This year a total of 95 cyclists did the 25-kilometre Rutherglen Tweed Ride, which was broken up by three food and wine experiences.

Tweed riders fueled up with brunch and sparkling red at Rutherglen Estates, sat down to lunch by The Pickled Sisters Cafe at Valhalla Wines and topped up with a muscat spritzer and sweet spread at Jones Winery.  

Adelaide couple Jay Goodger and Robyn Wescombe travelled the furthest distance for the Rutherglen Tweed Ride.

Mr Goodger says he found the event online during March after the launch of the High Country Harvest festival program.

“We booked about three months ago,” he says.

“It’s a good blend of a day out on a bike and cycling with relaxed people.”

Accompanied by their dog Herge – who was wearing his own tweed coat, Mr Goodger and Ms Wescombe did their first Rutherglen Tweed Ride as part of a cycling holiday.

They also rode from Rutherglen to Lake Moodemere, Wangaratta to Milawa and along the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. 

“We are planning a whole week around bike-riding,” says Ms Wescombe, who only took up riding about four years ago.

Destination Rutherglen executive officer Alexandra Campbell says Rutherglen will host a record number of High Country Harvest events this month.

She says the average stay for visitors during the festival is 2.8 days with a daily spend of $240.

“The Tweed Ride alone contributes just under $70,000,” she said.

Given their proximity to wineries in South Australia, Mr Goodger says it’s always interesting to explore other wine regions around the country.

“I’m really enjoying the white wines and the red varietals like the sangiovese and tempranillo,” Mr Goodger says.

“The Rutherglen Tweed Ride was the perfect pace to just cruise around and see everything.”

Rutherglen businessman Gordon McKinlay joined his first tweed ride this year on his electric bike.

He says the Rutherglen terrain is perfect for the battery-powered bikes.

“There are about half a dozen of these bikes around Rutherglen now,” he says.

“I go from home to work each day; it’s about 10 kilometres a week.

“They have a very comfortable seat and, of course, you don’t have to pedal.”

Mr McKinlay swapped his two-wheeled bike for a three-wheeled model when the former ran low on battery power towards the end of the ride.

He says it was no drama to duck home to swap the “sports model for the utility vehicle”.

“The good thing about these bikes is that they don’t make you sweat!” Mr McKinlay says.

Tweed riders wrapped up the seven-hour itinerary with a community bonfire at Rutherglen Wine Experience in the evening.

John Sherwood, of Broadford, and Tracey Strachan, of Sydney, were named the best dressed riders on the day and earned themselves two bottles of Rutherglen wine.

High Country Harvest runs more than 50 culinary events over three weekends until May 20.

For details visit highcountryharvest.com.au.