Senior manager Lee Sow Fong may have started endurance cycling only about two years ago, but the 61-year-old is ready to take on the gruelling 300km route at this year's Charity Bike 'n' Blade.

She is the oldest participant in the fund-raising event, which will mark its 10th year by revisiting its original 2005 route in Malaysia, from Desaru to Mersing and back to Desaru. Yesterday, 92 cyclists, two in-line skaters and 32 volunteers set off for Desaru. Participants will complete the route over two days and return to Singapore on Sunday evening.

"Rather than simply cycling for fun, I thought it'd be meaningful to combine my passion with charity," said Ms Low, who cycled weekly, sometimes up to 120km at a time, to prepare for the event.

This year, organisers aim to raise $500,000 for dementia patients at St Andrew's Community Hospital and The Salvation Army Peacehaven Nursing Home. As of yesterday afternoon, they are about $100,000 short of their target.

Said founding chairman of Charity Bike 'n' Blade Sidney Lim: "We've evolved from (being) just a group of cycling enthusiasts to having participants of all ages and from all walks of life coming together to cycle for a good cause."

The event has raised more than $5 million for various beneficiaries over 10 years.