Bendigo took centre stage as the first pit stop on the 22-day Tour de Crawf – Ride To The Other Side on Thursday night.

Crawford left Melbourne for Bendigo at 9.13am on Thursday.

Follow his journey below.

MELBOURNE TO BENDIGO, THURSDAY JUNE 20

UPDATE, 10.50am: Crawf has just left the BP on the Calder Freeway, 11 kilometres from Diggers Rest.

UPDATE, 11.55am: Just passing the Mount Macedon exit.

Shane Crawford and his doctor, Mitch Anderson, on the Calder Freeway. Picture: Supplied

UPDATE, 12.40pm: Crawf is 71 kms from Bendigo. Got up to 35 kms per hour at 12.35pm.

UPDATE, 1.30pm: Past Woodend. 100 kilometres down, time for lunch! 

Shane Crawford (left) on Calder Freeway near Kyneton. Picture: Laurie Davies

UPDATE, 2.35pm: Crawf has just passed the Castlemaine-Maryborough turn-off – 48 kilometres from Bendigo.

UPDATE, 3.15pm: Crawf is 25 kms from Bendigo! He'll be stopping past Andy's Earthmovers, LOT 1 Calder Hwy, Big Hill, on their way to collect a donation.

A publicity spokesman reports amazing support for Crawf with cars and trucks tooting along the way.

One fan hung a massive white sheet off a bridge with the words 'Go Crawf' emblazoned across.

People have also been waving and shouting out support.

A Bendigo business has just called the Bendigo Advertiser to pledge $1000 if Crawf rides into their yard and out again!

UPDATE, 2.40pm: Crawf's team expects to arrive in Bendigo about 5pm. They've asked people to line Arnold Street or Holmes Road, or to head to the Tom Flood Sports Centre to welcome him. 

UPDATE, 3.32pm: Crawf is at Ravenswood!

Crawf, left, on the road at Ravenswood. Picture: Jodie Donnellan

UPDATE, 4pm: Crawf has just received a $1000-cheque from Andy's Earthmovers at Big Hill. He stepped off his bike to speak with a group of workers who were holding banners in support of his ride. 

Shane Crawford receiving a $1000 donation from Andy's Earthmovers. Picture: Hannah Knight

"So far it's been perfect," Crawford said when the Bendigo Advertiser asked about the ride.

"I've had really good weather and seen lots of people," he said.

UPDATE, 4.07pm: The team is at Lansell Square shopping centre, Kangaroo Flat.

UPDATE, 4.53pm: Crawf is coming into Bendigo! Head to Arnold Street or the Tom Flood Sports Centre to welcome him!

UPDATE, 5.10pm: The team has arrived in Bendigo and is recovering ready for tonight's event at Tom Flood Sports Centre. Be there by 7.30pm!

A giant pink lady is erected ready for this evening's event at Tom Flood Sports Centre. Picture: Jodie Donnellan

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EAGLEHAWK TO SWAN HILL, FRIDAY JUNE 21

Crawford arrived at Eaglehawk CFA about 7.50am. Members donated $500 out of their own pockets to Tour de Crawf. Read more in tomorrow's Addy.

Shane Crawford is pictured at Eaglehawk CFA with CFA secretary Krystal Widdows. Picture: Supplied

UPDATE, 8.30am: Crawf is 8 kms out of Eaglehawk, just past the Pyramid Hill turn off. His team has asked traffic to please be patient.

UPDATE, 9.05am: Crawf is expected at Durham Ox between 10 and 11am this morning.

UPDATE, 9.15am: Crawf stopped for a morning tea of fresh homemade scones with jam and cream. He was greeted by 40 people waiting on the side of the road.

Shane Crawford enjoying morning tea. Picture: Supplied

UPDATE, 10.05am: Crawf has been through Serpentine.

UPDATE, 10.30am: Crawf is almost at Durham Ox! 

UPDATE, 11am: More than 300 people from Durham Ox and Boort have turned out in force this morning to welcome Crawford.

Men and women donned the colour pink with the town''s ox wearing a pink tutu and pink bra.

Organisers say they are overwhelmed with the number of people who turned out.

Durham Ox and Boort welcome Shane Crawford. Pictures: Jodie Donnellan

UPDATE, 11.15am: Crawf arrived to fanfare in Durham Ox. He and his team set off for Swan Hill about 11.50am.

PLEASE SEND US YOUR PHOTOS of Crawf on his journey through central Victoria. You can email them to cos@bendigoadvertiser.com.auor via our Addy App's Report button.