MORE than 600 cyclists are expected to turn out for the annual Rotary Dorset Bike Ride in Wareham on Sunday.

There will bike fanatics from across the county heading down to Longthorns Farm Campsite in Bovington to pedal hard while raising money for Cancer Research UK on routes lasting for up to 100 miles.

Organiser David King, of The Rotary Club of Wareham, said that in the past two years that the club had headed up the event, they have raised in-excess of £45,000 to £50,000 in total for the good cause so far.

It is suitable for all the family, with 600 people having signed up online ahead of the event, to take on 10, 20, 30, 50, 75 and 100-mile routes through Purbeck and Dorset, with staggered start times from 8am onwards.

David said: “In the first year we had about 350 entrants, last year we had around 500 and this year, we are expecting around 700 people to turn up on the day, so it has just grown over the years.”

David says that the ride has received great support from Westover Group and Cyclexperience in Wareham, amongst other shops and businesses including The Springfield Country Hotel.

Shelley Davies, Cancer Research UK’s local fundraising manager for Dorset, said: “Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and continues to do so.

“However, we have only been able to do this thanks to riders like those who take part in the Rotary Dorset Bike Ride, raising sponsorship and without whom we would not be able to fund our vital research.”

Entry fees vary depending on the route entered, which start from £15 per adult and £5 per child. Visit warehamrotary.co.uk /bikeride for more information.