"As soon as I finished last year's ride along the Great Ocean Road, I felt like I was hooked and wanted to do it every year," said Ms Bedford, a nurse at Dromana Secondary College.

This year's 590-kilometre ride, in which cyclists will pedal from the Murray River through the Goulburn Valley to Marysville, will be even more enjoyable as daughter Gabby, 14, will join her.

While the year 8 student at Toorak College in Mt Eliza had signed up for last year's ride, she had to withdraw when she was selected to run for Victoria at a national athletics event.

"I was really disappointed as I saw it as a really wonderful, healthy thing to do together," Ms Bedford, who lives in Balnarring, said.

Despite her disappointment, she loved the scenery and social aspects of the ride.

"It also gives you a chance to ride in a safe environment as they manage the traffic.

"If you want to, you can hop in with the peloton and learn about group riding, so it gives you bike skills you wouldn't get from just a casual bike ride."

Organisers expect this year's Great Victorian Bike ride, which runs from November 27 to December 5, to be another sell-out with only 5000 tickets available.

The Bicycle Victoria fully catered, tent-based cycling holiday will feature some well known spots and hidden secrets of the region.

With an average day's cycling of 70 kilometres, the ride is perfect for first-time cycling tourers. Entry fee is $795 for adults, $595 for children 13-17, $295 for children 6-12 and free for five and under.

Details: Bicycle Victoria on 1800 616 600 or www.greatvic.com.au