(KAIR)--Hundreds of bike riders are expected to peddle through Atchison and Brown Counties Sunday as they participate in the annual Amelia Earhart Century Bike Ride.

The event started nearly eighteen years ago when organizers for the Amelia Earhart festival approached Gary McGregor and asked him to put together a bike ride to be part of the first festival. McGregor agreed, and the ride has taken place on the last Sunday in June ever since.

Bicyclists can choose one of three routes; one spanning 35 miles, one that runs 62 miles, and the longest going 100 miles.

McGregor says riders will leave from the Santa Fe Depot, located at 200 South Tenth Street in Atchison and head south on U.S Highway 59. They will then go west on Kansas Highway 116 and turn onto U.S. Highway 159 before splitting off into three directions, one for each of the three distances. The 35 mile route goes through Monrovia and Lancaster. The other two routes will go through Effingham and Horton, but the 62 mile route will turn and take U.S. Highway 73 back to Atchison, while the 100 mile route continues through Hiawatha and Robinson, before getting back on U.S. Highway 73 in Everest and returning to Atchison.

All routes will end at the Santa Fe Depot.

McGregor adds there will be stops along each of the three different routes for the riders to replenish their water supply, grab a quick snack, or to use the restroom.

Registration for the event will take place from 7:00-9:00 Sunday morning at the event starting point, but those planning to ride the 100 mile route need to leave no later than 8:00. The registration fee of $40 includes maps, a commemorative t shirt, and minor repairs along with snacks, fruit and water.

Proceeds from the event go to help local scholarships.

For more information, you can call 913-360-2617, or e mail macbike@hotmail.com