A group of 11 friends have completed a tough charity cycle challenge through Wales, one of them pedalling around half of the 270 mile Lôn Las Cymru with broken bones in his wrist.
“We’re a group of friends from across the country who rope each other in to doing stupid things in aid of good causes,” said Paul Herbert, who was joined by Andy Callcut, Robert Hughes, Joanne Jones, Toby and Rupert Walke, Alan Anderson, Caron McKinney, Wayne Hughes, Lee Barnfield and James Rae for the spectacular Holyhead to Cardiff ride in aid of the Optimum Population Trust.
Last year it was a coast to coast Hardian’s Wall challenge – raising £1,266 for the Make-A-Wish-Fondation UK – for the group, who are already planning next year’s ride in aid of Wrexham Maelor Hospital Special Care Baby Unit.
They set off on Tuesday, April 27, cycling through Snowdonia from Holyhead to Caernarfon on their first day.
Paul said: “Over the course of our journey we passed through some of the most stunning scenery in the British Isles and stayed at some great bunkhouses and B&B’s.”
The Lon Las Cymru is a tour of the country’s spectacular landscapes, taking in the Llyn Penisula, Coed-y-Brenin Forest, the Wye Valley and the Black Mountains.
On day three of their journey, Alan Anderson fell in Porthmadog sustaining an injury that only an x-ray in Cardiff would reveal was in fact two broken bones. “He put on a tubigrip and kept peddling, using one hand to steer for the rest of the trip,” said Paul.
Despite the falls and some typically Welsh wet weather the whole group made it to Cardiff in bright sunshine, ahead of time, on Sunday afternoon. You can still donate to the Optimum Population Trust at www.justgiving.com/dointhejob
