How do you fancy a 'casual' bike ride from Dorchester to France this summer?

Keen cyclists from Poundbury Rotary Club are peddling to Bayeux - Dorchester's twin town - and anyone over the age of 18 is invited to saddle up and join the ride.

'The Casual Cycle Ride to Bayeux' will raise money for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance - as well as other Rotary charities - and will see riders pedal through the beautiful Normandy countryside, along 135 miles of country lanes.

The three-day cycle is for people "wanting to take a leisurely time through the wonderful countryside, with the charm of the French buildings and small villages on the way", organisers say.

An official sendoff will herald the start of the occasion on Thursday June 20. Participants will gather at the Café on the Green, Poundbury, to be waved off by the mayor of Dorchester.

The party will then be transported to Poole with their bikes, where they will catch the ferry to the starting line at Cherbourg.

According to the Rotary Club of Poundbury, the route passes through many villages and small towns, with opportunities to sample local food and drink.

"This is not a race - however a reasonable degree of fitness is encouraged", added Peter Noble, commenting on behalf of the club.

"Bikes will obviously need to be well-maintained - although we do expect to have a cycle technician travelling with the group.

"Instructions and detailed routes will be provided, and there will be a support crew with three vehicles".

The trip includes hotel accommodation en route at Ste-Mere-Eglise, as well as in Bayeux - where riders will be greeted by a civic reception and dinner.

They will be transported to the port with their bikes on Sunday 23 June, before catching the ferry home to Dorchester.

The entry cost to cover transport, ferry, accommodation and the basics is £250.

Entrants are also required to raise a charitable donation of at least £250 through sponsorship.

Interested? For more information email cullingtons@gmail.com, or see the Poundbury club's page on the Rotary website: www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/homepage.php?ClubID=2118