THERE are just 10 weeks to go until this year’s Farnham Charity Bike Ride on Sunday, July 3, and organisers are aiming for another record event.

The annual event has attracted 5,000 cyclists and raised more than £130,000 for local and national charities since launching in 2009.

Online registration for this year’s ride is open now, with a choice of four routes ranging in length from 16 to 75 miles through the Surrey and Hampshire countryside.

Adult riders can save up to £10 by booking by April 30, or £5 by booking by June 29, and accompanied children go free.

The ride will start and finish in Castle Street for the second consecutive year, and all finishers will receive a medal and certificate for taking part.

Event founder Andy Taylor said: “Last year’s event was a great success with more than 1,300 riders.

“We recently opened online registration for this year’s event and numbers are already 15 per cent up on the same stage last year.”

The event’s four circular routes offer something for riders of all ages, from the 16 mile ‘Compact’ through the 25 mile ‘Classic’ and 50 mile ‘Challenge’ to the 75 mile ‘Butser or Bust’ - a great warm up for the RideLondon-Surrey 100 four weeks later.

Each course will be clearly marked and stewarded, with refreshment points providing free drinks, light snacks and encouragement along the way.

Farnham Round Table’s Richard Bousfield added: “The Farnham Bike Charity Ride is a highlight in our events calendar.

“We put a lot of thought into it and it’s great to see the reaction of cyclists and spectators on the day.

“The event is one of Farnham Round Table’s biggest fund-raisers and we use this much-needed cash to support a variety of local charities and good causes.”

For more information about the event visit the website www.farnhambikeride.org.uk or the Facebook page www.facebook.com/FarnhamCharityBikeRide.