SPRINGFIELD - Organizers of the Ride to Remember, the annual ride from Springfield to Boston to honor fallen police officers, announced Friday that this year's ride will be open to any bicyclist willing to make the 106-mile trip.

In previous years, the ride was open to police officers and those in public safety.

Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney, the main organizer for the ride, said he is opening it up this year with a goal of having at least 300 riders.

The ride was created in 2013 to honor of Springfield police officer Kevin Ambrose and Westfield officer Jose Torres, who were each killed while on duty months apart in 2012. Ambrose was shot to death responding to a domestic call, and Torres was crushed by some heavy equipment while working a traffic detail at a construction site.

It has since been expanded to honor Sean Collier, the MIT officer shot to death by the Boston Marathon bombers in 2013, and Plymouth Gregg Maloney, kiled last year in an on-duty motorcycle accident.

Last year's ride had more than 200 participants, and raised more than $85,000 in funds for the Fallen Officers Memorial in Boston and for local charities.

2014 'Ride to Remember' honors fallen officers 34 Gallery: 2014 'Ride to Remember' honors fallen officers

The one-day ride is planned this year for Sept. 19. The course begins in downtown Springfield and ends at the Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill where the fallen officer memorial is located.

Riders journey the entire way under a police motorcycle escort, which ushers them through street lights. The only times the pack of riders stops is for designated rest areas along the way.

"This is a very user friendly ride," Delaney said.

Arrangements are made at the end for riders to use showers, saunas, and even masseuses at a Boston health club. There will also be a cookout.

Peter Pan Bus Lines donates vehicles for use as a recovery bus during the trip and for transportation back to Springfield.

Delaney said this year he would like to top 300 participants and the surest way to do that would be to open the ride up to members of the greater Western Massachusetts bicycling community.

The registration fee is $300.

For more information or to register, go to the Ride to Remember website. gister/

People may also go to the ride's page on Facebook.

Questions may be directed to Delaney at jdelaney@springfieldpolice.net