PREPARATIONS have clicked into gear for Castle Hill Rotary Club's 17th Tour de Hills Bicycle Classic in March.
The charity bike ride will start from major sponsor Rouse Hill Town Centre.
It features four unchanged routes from last year: the family friendly 13-kilometre ride; challenging 30-km and 60-km stages; and a 100-km endurance event.
Rotary club organisers have teamed up again with website designers Orion Creative Solutions in Norwest.
The event website tourdehills.com.au enables both single and group registrations.
Organisers predict a further 500 registrations before the March 4 early-bird deadline.
Event chairman Mike Blair is expecting another record breaking year.
"We had around 700 riders in 2011 with 500 of those pre-registering online."
Last year the Tour de Hills raised over $80,000 for Rotary charities including major beneficiary Hear the Children Early Intervention Centre in Kellyville.
Mr Blair said the bike ride has grown since 1996 and is a popular activity with families and western Sydney's cycling fraternity.
"People keep coming back every year because it's an enjoyable day where The Hills community comes together with the common cause of raising money for charity and getting some exercise," he said.
The first 500 registered riders will receive a complimentary News sweatband and towel and an early bird discount. Families of two adults and two children can sign up for the discounted price of $140. To register go to tourdehills.com.au.