PREPARATIONS are on track for this year’s Liphook charity bike ride.

Organisation of the ride has been taken over this year by the Liphook Crankers.

Previously the ride had been organised by Liphook and District Businessman’s Association (LiDBA).

LiDBA organised 25 charity bike rides and finished on a high last year, as it passed the £1m barrier for funds raised over the 25 years.

The Crankers have made a few subtle changes to this year’s ride, which will take place on Sunday, June 12.

However, the format of the charity bike ride has remained largely unchanged.

Liphook Crankers treasurer Simon Lunskey said: “Essentially the ride will be the same as it’s always been.

“The ride will still start and finish at Bohunt School and use the same course, and the charities will still benefit from the ride.

“The main change we have made is that all the entries will now be done electronically online.”

The Liphook Crankers have already started looking for sponsorship for this year’s charity bike ride.

The sponsorship campaign began in January with the Crankers contacting local businesses to offer them the opportunity to sponsor elements of the ride, from the road signs and rider numbers to the website.

Ride chairman Alistair Halliday said: “We are all very much looking forward to the ride this year. It will look exactly the same as in previous years and we have been heartened by so many pledges of support we have already received.

“We are grateful for sponsors, charities, marshals and riders who have supported it in the past under LIDBA’s excellent management, and we look forward to them coming forward once again in 2016.”

Charities will be able to register their riders though the new website, reducing some administration efforts, and there will be a charities evening early next month to help to explain this.

For more details visit www.liphookbikeride.com, or see the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/liphookbikeride