MORE than 1,000 bikers hit the roads of Dartmoor to take part in the Tour de Moor 2013 to raise money for St Luke's Hospice Plymouth on Sunday (October 13).

A mass of bikers all set off from Harrowbeer Airfield, Yelverton, for a day of thrills, hills, mud and sweat on the 35, 15 and seven-mile routes. The longer of the routes took cyclists on the hills to Princetown and back, while the 15 milers went out to Burrator Reservoir and the seven-mile family cycle headed along the Drakes Trail out towards Gem Bridge.

The event attracted enthusiasts from across the UK. Charlie Bull travelled all the way from South Gloucestershire and said: ' I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was well organised and we'll definitely be coming back next year.'

Event's fundraiser at St Luke's Hospice Plymouth Emma Winter said: 'We would really like to thank everyone who was involved in the event, from the bikers who clocked up the hours of hard training and fundraising, our sponsors Itec, to the army of volunteers who made the event possible and such a huge success. The Tour de Moor is now our second biggest event of the year and I think the reason it is so popular is the fact it is accessible for all ages and abilities. It really brings together everyone who has a passion for cycling along with a desire to raise money for a much loved local charity.

'Last year we raised over £69,000 and this year we are hoping to hit the £100,000 mark, all of which will be put straight back into providing essential end of life care for the people who need us most in Plymouth, South West Devon and East Cornwall.'