The Great Tour.

It’s been the subject of a hugely successful BBC documentary series, and now Britain's coastline is set to be celebrated by the cycling world in a new 6,600-kilometre charity ride between July and September organised by the same people behind the Tour of Britain.

As the first event of its kind in Britain, the inaugural Great Tour will build on the ever-growing popularity of cycling allied to a surge in interest in Britain's coastal resorts. In addition it is hoped that the event will help bring increased focus to the rich history and culture of the country's many seaside towns, villages, cliffs and beaches on route.

Called 'The Great Tour,' the ride is billed as "one of the UK's last great challenges. Riders will start from Seaton, Devon on July 3 and average 103 kilometres a day, visiting every port and seaside town. The anti-clockwise route will trace the English Channel coastline, and then north the length of England into Scotland, returning down the west coast into England then Wales and finally the South West via Land's End and the Atlantic Coast to finish in Seaton on September 4, the day of Seaton's illuminated Carnival Procession.

The Great Tour is one of the UK's last great challenges and Up to 40 cyclists a day will ride the route, made up of the core team of around 20 cyclists who are tackling the full 6,600 kilometre route, they will be joined by additional riders from the public who have been sponsered to ride one or more of the daily stages.

The groups of riders (10 per group) will have an expert back up, including a service vehicle and at the accommodation provided - which will be at hotels, hostels and campsites - a team of chefs will be cooking locally sourced produce.

The organisers state that the route "will take in every seaside port, village, town, cove and bay along every kilometre of coastline accessible by bicycle and bring our glorious seascape to life." Along the way, riders will be staying overnight in each of the seaside towns hosting stage starts and finishes, while a dedicated team of chefs will accompany them, cooking "locally sourced produce to ensure all riders will be fully fuelled and fit for the challenge each day." They also say that this is the first time such a circumnavigation of Britain's coastline has been attempted by this dedicated route.

The organisers want to encourage people from all walks of life to take part, whether that is riding the entire route, entering a time, or simply riding a stage on a day when the riders pass through your area. The Organisers promise a wide variety of invited and 'uninvited' guests will join the riders on the way, and say that the ride "will endeavour to spotlight the appeal of our seaside towns and coastline from a variety of perspectives, scenic and historical, architectural and natural phenomena, geographical and oceanographically, nature and wildlife, as well as promoting the fairly obvious health and environmental benefits."

Far from being a one-off event, however, organisers hope that it will capture the public imagination - in much the same way Land's End to John O'Groats has, for example, and "create a long legacy which is designed to be of huge benefit for charities - for awareness and fundraising, as well as having a significant impact and boost to cycle tourism both in the domestic and international markets," as well as encouraging people to get on their bikes in the first place.

As part of that, The Great Tour is aimed at becoming "a place where people can sign up and record their achievements for many years to come. The organisation will be the custodians of the route as it develops and as technology evolves to help those who wish to ride the route."

Anyone over the age of 18 can apply, with fully funded places available for those lucky enough to be selected to take part. Applications can be made at the official website, www.thegreattour.org where you can find details for the selection criteria.

The Great Tour will benefit Tour of Britain partner The Prostate Cancer Charity and Caravan, the National Grocers Benevolent Fund.

The Great Tour is being endorsed and sponsored by numerous companies, brands and organisations including Visit Britain who have recognised the tremendous boost to cycling tourism presented by The Great Tour. Children and their parents will also be encouraged to join in and Cycling England will be the body co-ordinating this activity.