A PARALYMPIC athlete was just one of over 1,000 people who took part in a charity cycle around Dorset today.

Darren Kenny OBE, who won a silver and a bronze medal at last year's London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, was first in the line to take part in the Dorset Bike Ride for the British Heart Foundation.

He joined around 1,200 other keen bike riders to cover either a 25, 50, 66 or 100 mile distance, taking in some of the beautiful Dorset scenery, starting off from Queen Elizabeth School in Wimborne.

Darren said: “It's something that I have meant to do for a number of years, as one of the organisers is a friend of mine.

He added: “It is a great way to raise money for what is a very worthy cause and it also fits in nicely with training and keeping your heart healthy.”

Andy Coles, regional events organiser, said it was another great turnout for the annual event.

He added: “We have introduced the 100mile route for the first time this year, because with the Olympics, cycling has suddenly become very popular, and a few people have asked about it, so we thought the time was right.

“The route through Dorset is so popular with people. We introduced the 66 mile ride about four years ago, which proved a success, so the 100 mile seemed a good idea.

“It was really nice to have Darren Kenny to start the race, as he's a Paralympic medal winner, and we hope to have raised around £60,000 from the day.

“Events like this are very important to us and we absolutely love coming here.”

See all our pictures from the Dorset Bike Ride 2013 in a gallery here

Why we took part

1. Dan Lawrence, 17, from Verwood, did the 50mile route. He said: “It's a bit of fun for me, and I've done it a couple of times before. It's a nice challenge and a good way of raising money for charity.”

2. Matt Puttock, 18, from Alderholt, also covered the 50mile route. He said: “It's fun to do, and it's good raise money for the British Heart Foundation, after my granddad, Harold Puttock, had a heart bypass back in 2010.”

3. Hayley Tong, 44, from Three Legged Cross, took part in the 25mile route. She said: “There's a group of 16 of us from work all doing the cycle together, but I specifically wanted to do it as my mum, Christine, died of a heart attack.”

4. Marcus Graziano, 39, from Shillingstone, chose the 66mile course. He said: “I am going to be doing the London to Paris ride at the end of June, for Great Ormond Street Hospital, so this is a good practice, which is close by.”