More than 450 riders took part in the KM Big Bike Ride, helping to raise a record £20,000 for charity.

Causes benefiting from the event included the Stacey Mowle Appeal, Caring for Connor, Abigail's Footsteps, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Folkestone and District Mind.

The annual ride enables cyclists to take part in either a 50km or 100km ride for charity or just for fun.

The numbers taking part in the event saw a 50 per cent increase compared to last year, delighting event organisers and their main sponsor Vattenfall.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team said: “The KM Big Bike Ride has firmly established itself as a major event on the fundraising and sporting calendar of the county. More than 40 charities and good causes used the event to raise funds for themselves and hundreds of riders now use it as one of their regular major rides during the year. We are thrilled at its growing success.”

Mr Dolby also praised BayPoint sports and leisure club for hosting the event and Locks of Sandwich Cycles who took charge of route planning and signage for the event and provided a bicycle mechanic on the day for participants.

Riders completing their chosen route returned to find their time flashed on television screens on the finish line and then were presented with medals and goodie bags by Vattenfall. The 400 bananas not eaten by the riders were donated to Porchlight.

Melanie Rogers of Vattenfall said: “It is fabulous to be involved and help the KM Big Bike Ride to continue to grow.”

Companies interested in sponsoring next year’s KM Big Bike Ride event should contact Mr Dolby on 07989 164 752 or email sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk

To receive advance news on KM Charity Team events and the chance to win a pair of Eurostar tickets, sign up to the KM Link e-newsletter by visiting www.kmcharityteam.co.uk

• This year's KM Big Bike Ride participants can find and download their action cycling photoatwww.sportivephoto.com. Scroll down to ‘Last 7 Days Events’ and click on ’26 April – KM Big Bike Ride’. Pictures will be saved by rider number. PLEASE NOTE if your rider number was obscured from the camera your photo will be saved under the number ‘999’.
• View ride times by the participants. Click here.