Last updated at 16:07, Friday, 17 August 2012

A team of cyclists overcame flash-floods and hypothermia to raise thousands for charity by completing the Coast to Coast (C2C) ride twice in a day.

The C2C2C team

The eight C2C2C riders from Aspatria, Wigton and Carlisle set off from Workington and cycled to Sunderland before turning round and heading straight back, travelling through the night despite enduring torrential rain and cold winds.

Their amazing 245-mile C2C2C trip, which was backed by Cumbrian builders Lattimer Homes, was in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance’s Pride of Cumbria helicopter and the Cash for Kids charity.

Organiser Steve Graham, who was among the riders, said: “We did it in the middle of summer to give us the maximum daylight hours but still ran into some terrible weather. There was wind, rain and flash-floods.

“I’d say the worst bit was Stanhope at Hartside on the way back. I got mild hypothermia with all the wet and had to stop. Someone sat on our kettle and we couldn’t make any hot drinks.

“But we will have raised more than £3,600 when all the money comes in. Most will be going to the air ambulance. It’s a brilliant amount. I can’t believe it and I’d like to thank everyone who supported us, especially our main sponsor Lattimer Homes.”

Two riders – Matthew Scott and Gary Thwaite – cycled all the way, completing the trans-Pennine return journey in 22-and-a-half hours. The other cyclists either rode in relay or took breaks in the support vehicle, which followed the cyclists on a direct route from Workington-Sunderland-Workington.

They were Neil Graham, Peter Hill, Philip Lightfoot, Hannah Sherlock and Andrew Simpson. Back-up was provided by drivers Simon Burns and Sam Evans, plus support team member Lorna Barwise.

George Lattimer, from event sponsors Lattimer Homes, welcomed the riders to the company’s headquarters at Mealsgate near Wigton.

He said: “It was an absolutely amazing effort from all of them. It’s tough enough cycling the Coast to Coast in a day but to do it there and back inside 24 hours is unbelievable.

“A lot of money has been raised for very good local causes and we were just glad to be able to help.”

First published at 14:09, Friday, 17 August 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk