The 25-year-old is optimistic and excited as he prepares for his maiden Grafton to Inverell ride in the C Grade.

He took on the tricky 228 kilometre route in 2012, but Saturday will be his first time facing the freezing headwinds and back-breaking climbs under race conditions.

"I'm feeling pretty good about it," Miller said, fresh from a fourth place finish in the 72 kilometre Invergowrie Road Race on Sunday; not far behind local brothers Dylan and Zak Sunderland, who nabbed first and second place respectively. The Sunderland pair are both front runners in the Grafton to Inverell, Dylan a favourite in the A Grade, and Zak a strong contender in the B Grade.

"In terms of training, it's been a really good build up. When I was home over Easter, the Inverell guys, we all trained very hard, had a really solid Easter training block together, so I think we're all going almost as good as we can," Miller said.

A rider in his childhood up until 18-years-old, Miller returned to the sport to make the most of his spare time when he began studying at the University of New England.

"It's been great," he said. He loves riding for both the exercise and social benefits, and said joining the Armidale cycling club was a great way to make several friends quickly in his new city.

"Because I've only been back riding over the last eight months, I think the hardest (part of the race) will be over that 150km mark, Glen Innes to home, because that's when the endurance will really need to kick in." The Grafton to Inverell will be Miller's longest race to date.

He's most looking forward to making his mark as he climbs the range, and will be working hard to stay in the front group as they ascend.

"My first goal is to make it home and then my second goal would be a top 10 finish - that would be nice," Miller said.

"I hear it's going to be a pretty solid headwind all day and pretty cold, so the conditions aren't ideal, but that should split the race up a little bit and make it a bit tougher."

Good friends with several of the Inverell and Armidale riders, Miller enjoys the opportunity to race with his mates, and is looking forward to riding in to a local crowd.

"I can't wait. It'll be great to have family and friends waiting down the line for me, so hopefully I'm still in a good condition by then," he said.