BACK after the big ride from Lands End to John'O Groats, local pedal pushers, Alan Pollard from Tenbury Wells, and Gordon Hall from Ashford Carbonel, are back on the patch.

Comfortable

Taking eleven-and-a-half days to complete the ride, the two friends enjoyed comfortable weather conditions and had to cope with just two mishaps, a puncture at the end of the Ludow by-pass and the loss of a pedal at Penrith, which could have cost them half a day.

Fortunately, the town had a cycle repair shop, but it was early closing day.

The shop was due to close at 1pm.

A plea was made for the shop to stay open until they got there and the pair made it with just four minutes to spare.

With the back-up crew of three wives in tow, the fund-raising cyclists arrived in John O' Groats on June 16, the Tenbury two, taking a short holiday with friends in Scotland before returning to home.

All the money raised is to go to good causes in Ludlow and Tenbury Wells.

And a big thank you goes to the wives for their wonderful support and to all the sponsors for backing the challenge.

The total sum raised by Alan and Gordon will be announced in due course.