A GROUP of intrepid cyclists have completed a near 60-mile ride as a fundraiser for the Aaron Lewis Foundation.
The team – Nick Frawley, Robert Moore, Andrew Bakonyvari, Andrew Barnett, Jonathan Saunders, Frank Ryan, Chris Peugniez, Guy Day – set out from The Peterboat pub in Old Leigh and completed a monstrous circuit.
The route took the lads along Southend seafront, out through Wakering, Rochford, Canewdon, across to Battlesbridge, up past South Woodham Ferrers and Hanningfield, before turning back down through Rettendon, Rayleigh, Benfleet and Hadleigh and finishing back at the pub in Leigh.
Team member Nick, who was introduced to the ALF by brother-in-law and trustee Steve Fraser, said: “I’ve been enjoying the ALF 10s every year and have wanted to do something to try and raise some money for a couple of years.
“We initially considered signing up to the Revolve 24 Endurance event at Brands Hatch but the entry fee was too expensive, so we subsequently decided to run our own ride instead.”
That ride involved the “reasonably challenging but achievable” 59.8-mile route provided by Robert.
Nick added: “It was a very enjoyable ride with a great bunch of lads. I was impressed at the level of support they all showed for each other during the ride, as well as a bit of the typical banter that kept us peddling and laughing on some of those tough climbs.”
The group estimate to have raised in excess of £1,200 for the ALF and thanked all those who supported them, as well as The Peterboat pub for use of facilities and liquid refreshment after the ride.
ALF trustee Helen Lewis said: “This was an amazing feat of endurance by all the riders and we’re so grateful that they chose to support the Aaron Lewis Foundation in this way.”