Steggall, who won slalom bronze at Nagano in 1998 and World Cup gold at Colorado the next year, said the March 14 charity ride would help brush off the cobwebs of court life.

"Since becoming a barrister I'm mindful of the sedentary nature of the life, so I have been trying to stay fit," she said.

"When you're an athlete, you always have goals. Now I have a charity bike ride to aim for."

The 85-kilometre ride, run by Warners Bay Rotary, is in its 14th year.

There is also a 50-kilometre option.

Steggall, husband Tim and her father, John, completed the Sydney-to-Wollongong charity ride last year.

They saw the Lake Macquarie ride and decided to enter with Steggall's mother Sue.

Organiser Bill Brewer hoped to raise $100,000 for causes including the Play Therapy program at John Hunter Hospital.

He said a record number of riders were expected to participate this year.

"Since its inception 14 years ago the number of entrants has continued to grow and we expect about 3000 this year," Mr Brewer said.

There are three start points Speers Point (85 km), Morisset (50km) and Belmont South (16km) to the finish at Speers Point park.

The cyclists travel along the western side of Lake Macquarie, along Rutleys Road then North along the Pacific Highway.

Mr Brewer urged motorists to respect the cyclists.

"While the event may cause traffic pressure, Loop the Lake is run to support community interests," he said.