CYCLISTS have raised more than £2,000 for charity after completing a gruelling 170 mile ride in less than 15 hours.

The team completed the route from Morecambe Bay to Bridlington in 14 hours and 57 minutes - despite an Achilles problem and a run in with a cow.

The workmates, who were raising money for St Gemma's Hospice and Cancer Research UK, comprised of Jim Bloomfield, Karen Landells, James Izzard and Ian Stephenson, all from Deloitte LLP in Leeds. They were joined by James brother Dan Izzard for 55 miles of the middle section. James' wife Rebecca drove the support vehicle.

James, from Guiseley, said: "All was going well until we hit the killer climb out of Settle 40 miles in which took more than expected out of our legs. We stopped at Cracoe to pick up my brother Dan Izzard as he joined the ride as pacemaker for the next 55 miles. Sixty two miles in at Pateley Bridge, Jim was really struggling with his Achilles problem so he took the decision to call it a day. We left him - and I feel quite bad about this - sat on the wall of the car park contemplating a 20 mile ride to Harrogate to get the train home.

He added: "On the way into York we encountered a problem with a cow on the cycle path by the river, as it charged Dan as he rode past. The cow stood its ground as Ian stared it out but another passing cyclist cleared the cow by using his bike as a battering ram and we were underway again - no cows were harmed in the process.

"At 8.30pm we rolled into Bridlington for a sprint finish along the promenade. After a few photos at the finish line with the spectators who had gathered to welcome us we packed up our cars and went our separate ways, in the hunt for fish and chips.

"Thanks to everyone who sponsored us. This was one of the things that kept us going. I’m proud to say that so far we have raised over £2,000 for cancer charities. And thanks to Jim, Ian and Karen for agreeing to take up the challenge with me -otherwise I would never had attempted it by myself - and thanks to Becky for driving the 250 plus miles all day as the support car."

During their journey the team travelled a total of 171.8 miles , climbing a total of 7,848ft, and averaging a speed of 14.5mph.

The friends are asking the public to support their fundraising at https://www.justgiving.com/teams/170mC2Ccancer

James said: "We are supporting St Gemma's Hospice and Cancer Research UK. We decided to do this challenge to raise money for these charities, to raise awareness for cancer, and also in recognition of the hard times that our friends and families have been through recently with various forms of cancer."