A charity cycle ride held by a weekly newspaper has raised around £7,500 to support a hospice.

The Derbyshire Times organised the 50-mile Flagg Challenge in partnership with Polaris, a local cycle clothing company, to raise funds for Chesterfield’s Ashgate Hospice.

Editor James Mitchinson and reporter Jon Cooper were among those taking part in the ride, which started at the hospice and took in picturesque Peak District scenery as it journeyed to Flagg and back.

James has described taking part in the event in a blog post where he tells about how he nearly had to give up after running out of water and hitting the “wall”.

James Mitchinson, front, and Jon Cooper prepare for the cycle ride.

In the article, he writes: “For a good while I was genuinely enjoying the challenge, and not hurting too much – taking in the unspoilt views of our wonderful countryside in what was quickly becoming searing heat as the morning wore on.

“Then the inevitable happened to an amateur cyclist who hadn’t checked the weather and frankly hadn’t prepared well. I ran out of water.

“And because I ran out of water, and went for around an hour without hydrating, my quadriceps began to cramp quite nastily.

“As I climbed into Birchover, I was all ready for giving up. I tried getting off and walking, but that just made my entire quads spasm to the point of stopping me in my tracks. I’d hit my ‘wall’. The reality of climbing over 1,200 metres into the sky under my own steam was not a pretty sight.

“Cue shimmering oasis of hope on the horizon: The Druid Inn, to which I owe my life. As I rolled onto the patio looking like bald panda in labour (whatever that looks like), I was greeted with: ‘ey up, ah fink Bradley Wiggins’ got lost!’

“Bradley Wiggins, I am not. Bradley Walsh, maybe. Anyhow, the kind staff behind the bar filled up my water bottle, putting a smile on my face and some hope in my heart that I just might be able to make the end, and make the people at Ashgate Hospice proud.”

James eventually completed the cycle ride and wrote that despite his difficulties he faced, he would take part again.

To sponsor James and Jon, click here.