THE annual Honiton Cycle Ride will take place on September 13 and, as usual, will be an exciting day out for families and cycling enthusiasts.

THE annual Honiton Cycle Ride will take place on September 13 and, as usual, will be an exciting day out for families and cycling enthusiasts.

This year, organisers are also launching a brand new element to the event - the 50 mile 'Pre-Tour of Britain Challenge' - using part of the route that the official Tour of Britain riders will follow a week later when the national elite event comes to Devon.

There will also be five and 27 mile cycle routes around Honiton, as well as a BBQ and musical entertainment for all the family at the Wyndham Arms at Kentisbeare, which is on all the cycle routes on the day.

The event, which is expected to raise thousands of pounds, will be in aid of local charity Hospiscare, which supports hundreds of patients and their families in Exeter, Mid and East Devon every year.

The Honiton part of the event will be a fun day for all the family, open cyclists of all ages and abilities. Entrants can choose between 5 and 27 mile routes, with the 5 mile route recommended for beginners and children. The longer route will pass through Plymtree, and Kentisbeare and back via Awliscombe.

The 'Pre-Tour of Britain Challenge', which is over 50 miles long and designed for experienced cyclists, will start at Honiton and pass through Cullompton, Halberton and Tiverton using the actual roads on the Tour of Britain route, then return to Honiton via Kentisbeare.

Entry for all routes is �5 for adults and �2 for under 16s and all routes start from the Otter Inn at Weston at 10.30am. All entrants will be entered into a free draw to win one of two bikes kindly donated by Everys of Honiton.

Further information on how to register is available at www.honitoncyclerides.co.uk, or by calling Cycle on (01404) 47211 or Alan Rowe Barbering on (01404) 47535.