More than 250 cyclists passed through Dartmouth to raise money for clean water during the 12th annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride on September 30.

In previous years, due to the closure of the causeway and bridge, cyclists have had to take a long detour. This year, riders were able to enter Dartmouth on Horseneck Road, pass through Russells Mills Village, and pedal off to New Bedford and beyond via Padanaram.

To guide riders along the way, volunteers — some clad in colorful marine-themed costumes — were on hand to point out turns and motivate riders to keep going.

The annual ride is put on by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, a New Bedford-based nonprofit organization which helps restore, protect, and make use of Buzzards Bay.

Each rider raises a minimum of $300, but many teams and individual riders set even higher goals, according to ride officials. Before the ride set off, riders had already raised 79 percent of the Coalition's $185,000 fundraising goal.

Dartmouth rider Jeff Gonsalves was the third top fundraiser, raising $3,850.

Cyclists chose between three routes. The longest 100-mile route began at Sakonnet Point in Little Compton, a 75-mile route began at Horseneck Beach in Westport, and the 35-mile route began at East Over Farm in Rochester. All three routes ended at Woods Hole on Cape Cod.