REGISTRATION is now open for this year’s Daily Echo-backed Rotary Dorset Bike Ride in aid of Cancer Research UK (CRUK).

The event is due to take place on Sunday September 8, starting from Longthorns Campsite near Wareham

Now in its eighth year, 2018 saw more than 730 riders from across Dorset and southern England raise nearly £50,000 for CRUK.

Organisers are hoping to beat both the number of riders and the amount raised, to top more than £300,000 in total since the event started in 2012.

Entrants can choose from eight different routes varying from nine to 108 miles through the beautiful Dorset countryside. The event caters for families as well as more experienced cyclists.

The longest route takes cyclists to points as far apart as Corfe Castle, West Bay, West Lulworth and towards Blandford.

The nine-mile route is around the Wool and Bovington area.

Included in the nominal registration fee are free car parking, free food stations around the route and free massages at the finish point. Feedback from riders is always very positive, with plenty of marshals and full route marking.

Many of the riders bring their own personal stories of family members or friends who have fallen ill with cancer. There is an amazing sense of wanting to do something to help find cures for the many different types of cancer.

Richard Burnett from Westbourne Rotary, organiser of the 2019 event, said: “We’re looking forward to another successful year. We are optimistic that we can raise around £50,000 again this year, thanks to the support of the hundreds of cyclists who come along to take part in the event.

“Cancer Research UK is at the forefront of helping to find new cures for cancer. Those taking part in the 2019 Rotary Dorset Bike Ride will be helping to push the research boundaries once again so we can increase survival rates beyond the current 50 per cent over 10 years.”

The cost of staging this event is covered by the sponsors so that as well as the sponsorship raised by the riders, the entire entry fee goes to Cancer Research UK.

This year’s sponsors include the Daily Echo, Dorset Echo, Longthorns Campsite, Actavo, Harvest Fine Foods and Dorset Flapjacks. The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Westbourne.

Further details and registration can be found at dorset-bike-ride.co.uk.