Cyclists can still enter the 2022 Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride which takes place on Sunday, 3 July. Ride organiser Peter Smith-Nicholls said: “There are still places left for all the different distances, so why not sign up and help us build the ride up again after two years of coronavirus.”

Cyclists will be riding a variety of routes after setting off from Corfe Mullen Recreation Ground to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Some riders have been putting in hundreds of miles of training and will be hoping for fast times but casual and first-time riders will be taking part in what is a colourful event for the whole family.

The event is organised by volunteers from the Dorset Bike Ride Fundraising Group and the entry fee is £20 for all rides.

Riders can choose from four signed routes of 38, 48, 63 and 100 miles and will be supported throughout the ride by marshals. Refreshments will be on offer and mechanical support is available if needed.

This year’s event is sponsored by local luxury yacht builder Sunseeker International, Dorset-based cycle store Primera Sports and the Hendy Group, one of the leading motor dealers in the south of England.

If you fancy saddling up or just want to support the riders by cheering them on, here’s all the information you need.

38 miles – start time 9.30am. Starting at Corfe Mullen, the route heads through the Stour Valley to Blandford, on to Winterborne Stickland and via Winterborne Valley to the refreshment stop at Winterborne Kingston. Back in the saddle, the ride continues along to Anderson before the return ride around Morden and Lytchett Matravers.

48 miles – start time 9am. This route also heads out to Stour Valley to Blandford but at Winterborne Stickland turns north and then up to Bulbarrow and Milton Abbas before re-joining the 38-mile ride route at Winterborne Whitechurch.

63 miles – start time 8.30am. The 63-mile ride follows the 48-mile ride to Bulbarrow and then descends to a refreshment stop in Cheselbourne. The new route for 2022 then heads through Puddletown to Bere Regis and Milborne St Andrew before re-joining the 48-mile route at Milton Abbas.

100 miles – start time 8am. For the more serious rider, the 100-mile ride will consist of just one loop heading further west. Starting in Corfe Mullen and on via Wimborne, Blandford, Winterborne Stickland, Bulbarrow, Hazelbury Bryan, Holwell, Yetminster, Chetnole, Glanvilles Wooton, Mappowder, Ansty, Cheselbourne, Puddletown, Bere Regis, Milborne St Andrew and to Milton Abbas. The riders then join the other groups at Winterborne Whitechurch back to the finish at Lytchett Matravers.

The Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride was founded in 1989 by Peter Smith-Nicholls following his own charity ride from John O’Groats to Lands End. This year’s event is hoping to reach an impressive £2 million milestone. For more information visit https://www.macmillanbikeride.com/

by Kye Harman