The 42-year-old Warrnambool school teacher will contest the 261km race for the first time - 18 months after borrowing his brother Rodney's bike to step up a winter fitness program.

It evolved into an eye-opening journey of discovery for the elite surf ski paddler after he joined some of the city's early-morning training groups, then Warrnambool Cycling Club.

"It's a completely different world,'' Owen said yesterday after his last training ride for the Classic.

"When I first started I was surprised. There is a whole different culture out there.

"There's a group called the Bed Wetters who meet on Mortlake Road hill at 5.50am, then another group called The Lattes who meet at 6am. They generally catch up to the Bed Wetters by the end of the (training) ride."

Owen tagged along at the back of the groups for three months, then upgraded his bicycle and three months later was planning to take on the Classic challenge.

"I honestly thought I'd never do bike riding," he said.

"It's actually really addictive. It's surprising how fit these bike riders are."

After more than 30 years of ski paddling, Owen was accustomed to training and racing requirements.

The surprise factor was the time commitment, which for the Melbourne to Warrnambool peaks with at least 3000km of training rides in the five weeks leading up to the race.

Owen used the September school holidays to his advantage, completing six and seven-hour rides on a track winding through the Gold Coast hinterland.

He has also contested 15 handicap races, including the Mount Gambier 100 and Hamilton 120.

With regular advice from Neville Brodie and Simon Crispe, who have both completed the Melbourne to Warrnambool, Owen is ready for the most enjoyable part of his build-up: carbohydrate loading.