Four people from Weston-super-Mare spent part of their bank holiday weekend cycling around the seafront for 24 hours for a good cause.
Dan Kear, aged 30, organised the event to raise money for the Sue Ryder hospice charity. He was joined by Sandra Day, Aaron Luker and Jason Smith.
The four set off at noon on Saturday, and cycled through the heat, crowds and night-time fog to finish at the same time the following day.
Dan said: “Sue Ryder hospice cared for my granddad in his last months. Twenty years on I decided it’s time to take on this epic 24 hours of cycling.
“This is a great way for me to say a massive thank you to Sue Ryder on looking after him and my family for the short time they did.
“The ride was supposed to be in March, which marked 20 years since we lost granddad, but the snow hit pretty hard.”
Ahead of the rescheduled ride, Dan told the Mercury he was expecting the hardest part to be between 3am and 6am.
The four riders, who set off from the Tropicana, were joined by friends and family during the day and Dan’s mum held a collection bucket on the seafront to raise money.
The route took the cyclists along the seafront to Uphill and back again repeatedly until they had completed more than 200 miles in 24 hours.
Jason said: “We achieved 211 miles despite the heavy traffic and thousands of tourists.
“It was a fantastic weekend and very foggy on Saturday night and very hot during the afternoon.
“Support was amazing with more than 30 riders joining throughout the weekend and lots of family and friends supporting.
“Stones Café on Knightstone Island was our saviour with hot drinks and food throughout the night.
“It’s always an honour and privilege to be part of such a great event which is fundraising for a great cause and charity such as Sue Ryder, even better still when it’s on your local beach and promenade with the sun shining.
“Cycling has become a big part in our lives as individuals and as a cycling group called The Odd Balls.”
The group also got help from Miss Millie’s and Gardner’s Fruits.
Dan said: “It was brilliant, and we had an amazing amount of support.
“We couldn’t have asked for more.”
To sponsor the team’s efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/24hrcyclethon-sueryderhospice
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here