More than 1,000 cyclists are expected to jump into the saddle this weekend for one of the biggest Tour de Tendrings ever seen.
Organisers are hoping the 11th event could set new records.
The take-up for pre-registration has been good and with a strong tradition of hundreds turning up on the day, the signs are more than promising.
The first riders will leave Dovercourt seafront as early as 7am on Sunday with their minds firmly set on achieving personal targets of 50 or 100 miles.
They will be sponsored to raise as much cash for the RNLI and local youth sports initiatives as possible.
The official start of the ride will be set in motion at 10am by the new Tendring Council chairman Robert Bevan.
In the company of the RNLI mascot Stormy Sam and the Harwich and District Pipes and Drums, the fun starters will be assembled near the Dovercourt swimming pool, and piped on their way.
The tour is organised by Tendring Council and has a new sponsor in Britton Construction.
"In its 11-year history the event has raised well over £100,000 for the lifeboats and that's a pretty magnificent achievement," said Kevin Britton of the firm.
"With three lifeboat stations doing a brilliant job along our Sunshine Coast, we are proud to be associated with the tour and everything it means to the RNLI.
"We are looking forward to the possibility of beating both the previous record number of riders and the amount of money raised," he added.
Published Friday, May 16, 2003
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