The festival has continued to grow in  popularity, with around 1700 people registered for this year’s event. 

Around 1100 were registered to ride in 2016. 

Organiser Phil McIntosh said word of mouth and a social media campaign had been a big draw card this year with a large number of last minute registrations.  

“I think the attraction of the festival is really the atmosphere,” he said. 

“I think the best thing is seeing all the mums and dads out here with their kids.” 

With perfect sunny weather shining down across Wagga, Mr McIntosh said the event drew in tourists from across the Riverina, interstate and overseas. 

“From a rotary perspective we were looking for another festival to draw the tourist economy and this ticks all those boxes,” Mr McIntyre said. 

“All funds raised are going to charity and at the end of the day that’s what it was all about.” 

For Sydney’s Jo Bilous, who rode in a group of 40 raising money for the Sanfilippo Children’s foundation, the festival was about much more than exercise. 

Sanfilippo is a rare genetic condition that causes fatal brain damage.

It is referred to as a childhood disease because most patients never reach adulthood.

Five-year-old Jude Donnell, who suffers from the rare genetic condition, watched on as family and friends rode for the cause. 

“Jude was born just amazing like any other child but he was diagnosed around age two or three,” Ms Bilous said. 

“We are trying to fund medical research to work out how to help kids like Jude.” 

In the group’s first year at the event, some spent months training for the 130 kilometre ride while youngsters jumped on for fun with the nine kilometer ride. 

“It’s been an amazing experience and we would definitely come again,” Ms Bilous said. 

There was one thing on the minds of thousands as they crossed the finish line and entered the second component of the festival – beer. 

Thirsty Crow brewer Braddon Archer said it was great to be around other brewers, in his third year of working the event. 

Mr Archer said he expected the newly released ‘Snakes on a Plane’ to be a popular beer this year. 

“We usually go alright, being a local brewer a lot of people are used to our beers and it’s a beautiful day,” Mr Archer said. 

Wagga’s Amanda Myers rode in the event for the second year with a group of family and friends.

“I don’t normally ride much so it’s chance to try a different type of fitness,” Ms Myers said. 

“If we don’t support this type of event they won’t exist anymore.” 

Ms Myers said it was a great day to get the children outdoors. 

“It’s a way to encourage the kids to exercise instead of being on their phones and it’s a really good time of the year for it,” she said. 

The group said they were excited to get their hands on a beer after finishing the 30 kilometer stretch. A large amount of spectators were at the Victory Memorial Gardens finish line on Sunday.