A saddle-sore team of cyclists which included staff from the Manchester Evening News has successfully completed a gruelling 976-mile charity bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

The team of six (below) reached the finish line on Saturday – just ten-and-a-half days after setting off from Cornwall.

They expect to reach their £20,000 fundraising target for the paper’s Kirsty’s Appeal.

MEN deputy managing director Mark Rix, general advertisement manager Paul O’Halloran and deputy postal manager David Healey all took part in the ride – which saw them cover up to 117 miles a day – and accounts administrator Ron Bent drove the team’s van.

The final “undulating” leg of the journey from Dingwall to John O’Groats proved especially agonising, as the team had to conquer several steep hills on the “fast, furious and dangerous” A9 road.

Reporting in the MEN, Mark wrote: “The views all day stand out as a particular highlight of this stage.

“After lunch in the delightful fishing village of Helmsdale, we headed off straight into a debilitating climb of almost eight miles.

“While enjoying the rush of flying downhill, there is always a price to pay and this hill took no prisoners on what was becoming a very warm afternoon.

“With sweat dripping off our chins we reached the peak and for a brief period glided across open moorland on the cliffs. The Helmsdale ascent proved almost enjoyable compared with the next mountain test that is Berriedale.

“An incredibly steep downhill takes you to sea level at high speed – Ian Marshall clocked up 48mph – before you look up at the 1:7 ascent back to the top of the headland, some one-and-a-half miles away.

“Soon, we could sense the end of this epic ride and the town of Wick loomed large at the 87-mile mark.

“Some 17 miles later the team laboured for three miles up the moor road that snakes its way to the hills above John O’Groats and with wide smiles on our sweaty faces, we freewheeled past the rather tatty sign and headed for the official finish line about a mile further on at the most northerly point of mainland Britain.

“We had arrived after ten days, with 976 miles covered, 64 hours actual peddling at an average speed of 15mph.”

The team say they are already thinking about another adventure and were suprised to find that people all along their route knew about Kirsty’s Appeal, which aims to raise £5m to safeguard the future of the Francis House Children’s Hospice.

Reflecting on the journey, Mark wrote: “The last twelve days has been a challenging and yet highly rewarding experience.

“The generosity of the general public up and down the country has never failed to astonish us and, hopefully, our efforts will help in some way to further the marvellous cause of brave Kirsty Howard and everyone associated with Kirsty’s Appeal and Francis House Children’s Hospice.”

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