Ilkley cyclists' 24-hour pedalling challenge (From Ilkley Gazette)

Ilkley cyclists' 24-hour pedalling challenge

9:00am Monday 11th February 2013 in News

A 24-hour exercise bike challenge saw hundreds of riders pedal the equivalent distance of Sydney to Leeds and raise £6,000 for charity.

More than 200 people battled through snow to get to Dillons Health and Fitness Studio, in Railway Road, Ilkley, to take part in a 24-hour indoor spin cycling marathon in aid of Children with Cancer.

Fitness instructor Sarah Mayrick, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, and her husband, Alex, set themselves a target of raising £7,500 for the charity through a number of exercise challenges, including the London Marathon.

The mother-of-three said: “We had the idea for a Spinathon and Dillons Fitness in Ilkley kindly supplied the venue and the bikes. Over the 24 hours, we collectively cycled from Sydney to Ilkley, clocking a total distance of 11,500 miles on 22 bikes. So far we have raised over £6,000 towards our target, which is a fantastic effort from everyone”.

Snow all night on the Friday failed to deter the committed cyclists, with people struggling through difficult conditions from as far away as Wakefield to take part.

Supporters baked treats, brought pizza and made hot drinks to keep the riders fuelled during the event, while Dillons’ trainers, led by Mrs Mayrick, made sure concentration didn’t flag with co-ordinated riding and racing to music throughout the 24 hours.

Founded nearly 25 years ago by the O’Gorman family, who lost both their son and daughter within a year to leukaemia, Children with Cancer has raised over £100million to fund buildings, vital equipment and work at specialist hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.