Who better to devise a bike ride showing off the beautiful east Kent countryside than the cycling experts based in one of the county’s most picturesque towns?

The team at the Locks of Sandwich cycle shop are supporting the KM Big Bike Ride on April 29 for the fourth year running – and as well as having drawn up the route, they’ll be providing maintenance on the day in case of any problems, and signage to make sure riders don’t go wheeling off in the wrong direction.

Owner Andy Croucher and his team know the area well – they organise three bike rides around the Sandwich area each week, starting with a gentle Monday evening excursion and finishing with the Friday Night Thrash.

Big Bike Ride organiser Maxine Tarquini said: “We’re so glad to have had Andy and the team on board for four years now.

“They’ve helped us draw up a route which makes the most of all the east Kent landscape has to offer – tranquil countryside, pretty villages and the splendid Thanet coastline, which is a strong contender for the high point of the longer route.

“And it’s great to know that if any of our riders do have mechanical problems before setting off, they’ll be on hand to get them back on track.”

Hundreds of riders are expected to take part in the ride on Sunday, April 29 – either for the physical challenge or to raise money for a good cause of their choice. Anyone who raises £200 or more will go into a draw to win a pair of Eurostar tickets.

Riders can choose either a 50K or a 100K route, both starting and ending at Betteshanger Park, just north of Deal. The 50K route goes down towards Dover, up to Stodmarsh and then back to Sandwich, while the 100K route continues north towards Reculver and round the Thanet coast.

Last year’s 500 riders, aged between 15 and 80, raised £15,000 for 60 charities. Anyone aged 12 or over can take part, though under-18s must be accompanied by an adult and will need a consent form from their parent or guardian.

It is not a race, so there is no prize for coming first, but riders will have their time measured by electronic chip and an action photo taken during the ride as a souvenir.

The KM Big Bike Ride is organised in partnership with Vattenfall and supported by Benenden Hospital Trust.

To book, visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/booking and use the discount code KMNEWS18.