More than 100 cyclists went on a high-mileage ride to protect Buzzards Bay on October 2, and for photographer Victor Simas, the ride was part workout, part livelihood.

"It's important to keep that water as beautiful as we can so we can keep taking beautiful pictures," he said via phone.

The Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride promotes clean water around southeastern Massachusetts while raising funds for the Buzzards Bay Coalition. This year was the 10th anniversary of the event, so the Coalition added some longer rides, including a 100-mile route that began in Rhode Island.

The 100-miler wasn't on Simas' docket, however.

"I can't do that. My doctor won't let me," the Dartmouth native said with a laugh. This was Simas' fourth watershed ride. He started at Horseneck Beach in Westport and finished at the luncheon in Rochester, totaling about 42 miles.

The century route ended in Woods Hole, along with a 75-mile ride that began at Horseneck Beach, a 35-mile route that began in Rochester, and an 11-mile ride down the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth.

"Everybody just rides and the idea is to raise money for Buzzards Bay," said Simas. "It's nice to see the beautiful colored jerseys that people wear and different colored bikes all on the backroads of Westport."

During the summer months, Simas — who grew up in Dartmouth but now resides in New Bedford — works in a bike ride about four times a week, so he feels ready for the Buzzards Bay ride.

"The roads are pretty flat," he said. "My only challenge is staying to the right side of the road and being cognizant of everything that's around you."

The Westport riders took off around 8 a.m. Before that, Simas said he was eating his usual bowl of cereal and a banana. He kept fruit and energy bars on hand during the race to stay energized.

"I wouldn't have an egg McMuffin or any stuff like that," he said.

Simas got into cycling because, as he got older, he needed an activity he could do by himself. He traded in racquetball and tennis for a bike.

"It's great getting the fresh air," he said about his new hobby.

Usually Simas does the watershed ride with a friend, but this year, he'll be going solo. He's ready for that challenge though.

"Cyclists are pretty friendly, so you can just ride alongside anybody" he said.

Cyclists had to raise $300 to participate in the ride. Cyclists left the Rhode Island start line at 7 a.m., the Rochester start line at noon, and the Falmouth start line at 2 p.m. The finish line had a party for racers, complete with food and drinks.