About 2745 riders took to their bikes for the Rotary Clubs of Lake Macquarie 14th annual Loop the Lake, raising cash for John Hunter Children's Hospital.

Some took a leisurely 16-kilometre route, while more experienced cyclists took on a 50 or 85-kilometre challenge.

"We had one rider from the St Ives team who averaged 31 kilometres an hour during the ride, so there were some good riders out there," Loop the Lake co-ordinator Gerry Wild said.

Early estimates indicate the ride raised about $120,000, taking the event's total earnings for the hospital to more than $800,000.

To ensure rider safety the event had route marshals, police cyclists and officers patrolling the route, volunteer motorcycle marshals to support riders in narrow sections, 15 St John Ambulance officers, van marshals and three mobile mechanics.

But not everyone was happy about Lake streets being inundated by cyclists.

Former occupational, health and safety officer Robert Bain said the event put lives at risk, with riders on narrow roads, sometimes five abreast.

The Cooranbong resident said residents should have received individual notification that their streets were included on the route.