THE 85 riders that comprised the High Country Charity Ride for 2022 made a triumphant return to Wangaratta on Sunday, with a fundraising total exceeding $80,000 all the tonic that was needed to push them back into town.

Set over four days, 500km and covering some of the most challenging but breathtaking scenery that the North East has to offer, the 40 cyclists from Wangaratta and 45 from Orange NSW were both weary and satisfied with their efforts that will see a significant donation going towards the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.

"The guys were certainly motivated by the cause that we were raising money for, without doubt," organiser Tim Briggs said.

"The fact that quite a few riders have personally been touched by cancer themselves or loved ones and in some cases required the services of the cancer centre in Albury, made it all the more important."

The annual ride has had to endure false starts in the last two years, however, Mr Briggs was blown away by the support that the ride had received from locals.

"Even through the pandemic of the last two years where we were unable to get the charity ride off the ground, to receive the amazing support from local businesses as well as everyone's willingness to donate money to the cause, makes all the hard work worth it."

When asked what was in store for next year's High Country Charity Ride, Mr Briggs was bullish on how things may come together.

"We will be looking at the same route we took this year but we are ideally looking at some more community interaction via local schools and other engaging fundraising concepts."

Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the event, with the past seven of those spent in partnership with Tour de Cure.

Tour de Cure is a charitable organisation that raises funds to support researchers, surgeons and clinicians who dedicate their lives to finding a cure for cancer.

Their Signature Tour has become the stuff of legend in cycling fundraising tours and this year will see it pass through Wangaratta on March 15, as it makes its way from Geelong enroute to Canberra.

The fundraising for this tour already sits over $1m, with $10,000 of that due to be forwarded to Northeast Health for some much needed equipment for oncology patients.