A DEDICATED team of 29 riders along with six support personnel will head off on a 7–day 1000km bike ride starting in Wangaratta on Saturday, March 18.

Rocan, a not–for–profit charity has been hosting bike rides like this for 20 years and their aim is to provide relief to cancer patients and their families, raising money towards specific research into ovarian cancer and early screening tests.

One of the support team members on the ride, Damien Hynes, said their current project was to help for the creation of an accommodation and wellness centre for patients, their families and their carers in Melbourne.

"We are looking at working in with a like–minded charity – construction of a new accommodation centre in Flemington road near relevant hospitals," he said.

"The new state of the art facility will be within walking distance of major cancer hospitals in Melbourne."

"It is relevant to country people who require extended accommodation for treatment."

Last year the bike ride raised more than $80,000.

The bike ride will travel from Wangaratta to Rutherglen on Saturday, March 18; Rutherglen to Albury on Sunday, March 19; Albury to Old Tallangatta back to Albury on Monday, March 20; Albury to Bright on Tuesday, March 21; Bright to Harrietville to Porpunkah to Wandiligong and back to Bright on Wednesday March 22; Bright to Wangaratta on Thursday, March 23; Wangaratta to Devenish to Goorambat back to Wangaratta on Friday March 24.

For more information on the ride and how to donate go to: https://www.rocan.org.au.