Last year, Marianne Ronay did a 100-mile ride bike around Ventura wearing a grass skirt and shell bra.

"As soon as I saw the word costume' in the invitation I said, I'm in,'" said Ronay, a 47-year-old nurse practitioner.

This year, Ronay will be dressed as a "Biker Babe" when she joins about 300 people bicycling in the third annual Mardi Gras Century ride on Feb. 23. The event raises money to rebuild homes lost during Hurricane Katrina and for other charities.

This year, the ride is expected to bring people from New York, Ohio, Arkansas, American Samoa, Arizona and Nevada, said Liz Bailey, president of Ventura Velo, which sponsors it.

Beginning at 7 a.m., riders can choose to ride 25, 60 or 100 miles along a route that begins at the Ventura Harbor, follows the beach bike path up to the Ventura River, then up the Ojai Bike Path and down Santa Paula Canyon, Bailey said.

Ronay, who participated in the ride last year as part of a team named Hula Hos, said she had a great time riding 100 miles dressed in a Hawaiian costume.

"The most fun part was seeing people's reaction about our costumes," said Ronay, who has been riding for 10 years.

Ronay will drive from Riverside this year with a group of nine friends dressed up as biker babes, and they will ride the 60-mile route. They plan on wearing mohawks, fake tattoos and black vests.

According to Bailey, last year the nonprofit Ventura Velo raised about $25,000 for charity. This money goes for bicycle path safety in Ventura County, for the Arthritis Foundation and Habitat for Humanity to rebuild homes lost during Hurricane Katrina.

"This is a supportive ride; we have seven rest stops where they can get water, food and can have their bikes fixed if they have problems," Bailey said.

Glenn Mutch, a 62-year-old Thousand Oaks resident, said he has done the ride in the past because it is supportive and safe.

The retired firefighter said he injured his knees at work, had surgery on both of them, and bicycling has helped him to heal.

Mutch, who did the ride last year, said he plans on doing the 60-mile route.

"The feeling of accomplishment that you did it is the most fun part about it," he said.

There will be a party at The Greek restaurant in the Ventura Harbor after the ride.

To register

Mardi Gras Century ride begins at 7 a.m. Feb. 23 at the Ventura Harbor. Cyclists can register for $65, which includes the post-ride party; price for just the party is $25. For information, go to http://www.venturavelo.org.