Over three hundred Tasmanians have hit the tarmac on their bikes for a good cause.

Called - Sally's Ride - the charity event raises money for mental health services.

In 2002, Sally Fletcher took to her bike and rode fourteen hundred kilometres solo across the state...

Her aim - to raise money for a youth suicide prevention project in Tasmania.

She said "I guess it goes back to my nursing days there were a lot of things that I couldn't really do much about at the time and so I thought lets increase the awareness of things make people aware of whats happening and talk about it and try and help."

After undertaking five solo rides Sally has raised over one hundred thousand dollars for mental health projects.

And this year she decided to get the community involved...

Participants could enter as teams or individually with a choice of four rides around the picturesque Tamar Valley.

She said "It's fantastic. Bigger and better than ever!"

Olympic Gold Medal Cyclist, Michael Grenda said "I'm just really pleased to come along and help support Sally's Ride it's a great cause and I'm just really happy to be a part of it."

Money raised this year will go to local organisations helping Tasmanians with mental illness...

John Jones says these groups are vital for suicide prevention - particularly in country areas.

He was today presented with an award for his work with farmers battling depression because of issues like drought.

John Jones from Rural Alive and Well said "Where we've operated we've reduced it by ninty per cent and that's never happened in Tasmanian history so we're very proud of that and we want everyone's support to help each other."

The prize was part of the Rural Health Awards recognising contributions to the promotion of health and wellbeing in country towns.