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CENTRAL Victorian roads rumbled with the sound of finely tuned engines on Sunday as 287 motorcycles roared their way through the region.

About 300 riders took part in the Black Dog Ride which wound its way from the centre of Bendigo to Rushworth, raising awareness of depression and suicide prevention. 

This is the second year the ride has been run in conjunction with the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network walk.

Riders set out from Bendigo just prior to the beginning of the walk, stopping in Nagambie for lunch before ending up in Rushworth. 

Victoria Police Superintendent Mick West congratulated the bikers on getting behind such a worthwhile initiative.

"Over the last few years, people on two wheels have copped a lot of negative publicity," he said.

"But here they are, supporting a worthy event and they get behind a lot of worthy events."