1982

The first Great Nottingham Bike Ride, as it was then known, took place, organised by Pedals. Most of the work was done by Dave Laws and Steve Parry, who had experience of the London to Brighton Bike Ride and were both keen to start a similar ride locally.

It was organised at fairly short notice and 250 people took part. The ride started from The Forest Recreation Ground and headed for Newark.

Unfortunately, no one had a key to open the gate out on to Gregory Boulevard so all the riders had to lift their bikes over the bar.

1983

Notts CTC, the county's branch of the Cyclists' Touring Club, helped Pedals in organising the ride in one of the few years that it has not clashed with the CTC's major national event, the York Rally.

The General Hospital Stroke Unit Appeal approached Pedals about the ride being a charity one to help its fundraising, and it was the only charity in 1983 and 1984. 650 people took part.

1984

The last Great Notts Bike Ride organised just by Pedals was held this year, on a very hot and sunny day, and with 1,000 participants.

Some of the signs on the route were removed the evening before the ride and several riders got lost.

After this there was a feeling the ride was getting too big for Pedals to handle alone, so Notts County Council took it on.

1985

The council took over from Pedals as the main organiser and the title was changed to the Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride (GNBR). Raleigh was the title sponsor for the next two years.

This was the first year that special GNBR T-shirts were available. For the first time entrants had to pay a registration fee, which was 50p per head or £1 per family. The Stroke Unit Appeal, Notts Mencap and the Notts Wildlife Trust were nominated as the first official charities.

The ride started at County Hall, before going to Newark via an outward route south of the Trent and returning via Bleasby, Thurgarton, Lowdham and Stoke Bardolph.

1986

The ride start was moved to the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, where it has remained. Circular routes of 18 and 50 miles were brought in during this year.

2004

Original organisers Pedals celebrated its 25th birthday with Pedals riders taking part in the 50-mile ride in special celebratory T-shirts.

2008

A longer ride of 100 miles was added, which has now become a regular part of the ride.

In 2009, this returned as a 70-mile sportive ride, and in 2011, the ride will become a 72-mile challenge ride.

2011

The event has been taken over by Nottingham-based Perfect Motion, in partnership with Pennine Events.

It is the county's biggest cycling event and has become one of the biggest fundraisers for local charities, raising more than £150,000 in the past three years.

The four official charities this year are CLIC Sargent, Cerebral Palsy Sport, Notts Scouts and the RNLI.