With the Mariah Carey song `Hero' playing loudly, the crowd of around 200 erupted into cheers and clapped as Harold rode into the grounds of Eventide, signalling the halfway mark of his River to Sea ride from Swan Hill to Port Fairy.

Harold challenged himself to take on the ride and raise money for Eventide Homes earlier this year. He had hoped to raise around $1000 when it all started. It was announced on Sunday that the amount raised was closer to $10,000 overall.

A well known character, Harold hugged and kissed family members and supporters after he rode into Eventide along with his grandson, Sydney Swans footballer Jude Bolton, champion veteran cyclist Leon Gibson and other family members and supporters.

In typical Harold Blake fashion, he still managed a laugh and a joke even after riding through gruelling head winds and battling extreme heat on day one when he left Swan Hill.

``I now know what a Christmas turkey feels like, baked and stuffed,'' he said.

Harold enjoyed an overnight stay in Stawell on Sunday, but was back on the bike early yesterday morning to continue his long trek towards Port Fairy, where he will arrive today.