HUNDREDS of cyclists will get on their bikes for charity this summer.

Participants will celebrate the Daily Echo-backed Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride's 30th year with a choice of six routes, ranging from 10 to 100 miles.

A new 63-mile distance has also been announced.

Organiser Peter Smith-Nicholls said routes will be improved.

"We want this to be our biggest event yet," he said.

"Everything we raise will go to Macmillan, as it always has done."

Just 48 people participated in the first ride, which offered 29- and 56-mile distances. The riders raised £2,500. Last year, 725 people took part, raising more than £69,000.

The event, which is based in Corfe Mullen, has raised almost £1.5m for Macmillan over the course of 30 years.

Peter said: "When we started it all, we had two distances.

"We decided to run the 56 mile route because there weren't many charity rides in those days, except for the very well-known London to Brighton route.

"The length of that ride is 56 miles."

The 100-mile distance was introduced around a decade ago.

"There are always quite a few people who want to tackle that route," Peter said.

"They tend to decide quite early on that they want to do it, so we've had quite a few people booking in already."

Other cyclists want to push themselves further than in previous years, he said.

"That's the reason we've added a new 63-mile route," he added.

For more information on the event, or to enter, visit macmillanbikeride.co.uk

Participants are also encourage to join the 'give 30' campaign. Admission is currently £30 for the 100-mile route, but anyone cycling a shorter distance can also choose to pay £30.

Distances available on the day are 10, 25, 38, 48, 63 and 100 miles.

The ride is sponsored by Sunseeker International and supported by Primera Sports and The Westover Group.