THOUSANDS of riders cracked the ton on the Great Victorian Bike Ride today.
Today's stage from Port Fairy to Port Campbell was the longest stage of the eight-day ride at 100km.And the ride was conducted in glorious sunshine as the rain of the first three days became a memory, although head and cross winds did make the day challenging for many.
The huge tent city has now settled on the Port Campbell Recreation Reserve, with the local football ground and surrounding paddocks swamped by tents.
One aspect of the ride that may surprise some is the mini-city that springs up each day.
For instance, seven shower trucks with about 16 showers in each and nine loo trucks plus a fleet of portaloos along the route make the move each day.
And about 1000 litres of beer and wine are served from the campsite's Café de Canvas each night, where bands perform day and night.
Tomorrow's stage to Apollo Bay will be the hardest day of the ride, tackling the 20-km climb of Lavers Hill during the 97km stage.
The riders will then have a rest day in Apollo Bay before stages to Anglesea, Queenscliff then the finish in Geelong on Sunday.
The ride has now completed 267km, with 280km to go.
