Pub regulars cycle from Coast to Coast

Mark Harris, Mark Bunce, Adam Browne, Graeme Davis, Matthew Hargreaves, Ste Kershaw, Ray Johnson and Mark Edwards taking on the Coast 2 Coast Cycle Ride

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Eight regulars at the Dyer's Arms on Whitelees Road, Littleborough have just returned from a gruelling 135 mile coast to coast cycle ride from Whitehaven to Sunderland.

Graeme Davis, Mark Harris, Matthew Hargreaves, Mark Bunce, Ste Kershaw, Ray Johnson, Adam Browne and Mark Edwards took the route crossing the country from east to west of England. The route has some spectacular scenery through the Cumbrian Lake District and Northumberland before the last leg through County Durham and the finish point at Roker Pier on the east coast of England.

The men are trying to raise £2,500 to be split between Help For Heroes, Joining Jack (a charity finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy) and local autism charities.

The trip was split over three days starting with the first leg on Friday from Whitehaven to Scales near Keswick.

The second leg on Saturday was the most gruelling with a 59 mile trip from Scales to Rookhope in County Durham. This route has an elevation of over 5,800 feet as it crosses over the North Pennines.

"This was the hardest day", said Mark Bunce. "Graeme kept telling us there was 'just one more hill', but he was lying."

"I had to tell a few porkies to keep the team motivated", said Graeme Davis, who organised the trip. "It certainly was a weekend I'll never forget."

"The third day, from Rookhope to Sunderland was much easier in comparison", said Mark Harris. "But by then, even the smallest incline felt like we were going up Blackstone Edge."

"It was emotionally and physically draining but we all felt a great sense of achievement at the end."

The team were supported on the trip by John Shorne, Ged Markovic, Sharon Alfrey, Karen Howgate, Chris Clegg and Mark Jackson. They were also sponsored by a number of local businesses, including Graham Poole Transport, Performance Doorset Solutions, McCormick UK, Hilton Docker Mouldings, Rentruck, Nick Baker Gas Engineer, Steve Graham Sales and Ron Chalker Fruit and Vegetables.

The Dyer's Arms held a celebratory Fun Day at the pub on Sunday to welcome the riders back to Littleborough featuring Wardle Junior Blast and singer Sam Oliver.

The men are close to achieving their target; if you'd like to donate, you can do so at:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/dyersarmsc2c