FRIENDS, Ian Clarke and David Owen from Burton-in-Lonsdale, and Neil Addison from Derby, cycled 900 miles across France, raising a magnificent more than £3,000 for the Alzheimer's Society.

It took just 14 days for them to cycle the length of France from St Malo to Nice. The diagonal crossing saw them pass through the delights of the Loire Valley, the Ardeche and Gorges du Verdon.

Cycling around 60 to 70 miles per day, the highest point of the trip, the 1,909 metres Mount Ventoux is a regular feature of the annual Tour de France and infamous for the death of 1960’s British champion cyclist Tom Simpson. An unseasonally wet and cold central France in the first week of the journey meant that some days were more challenging than anticipated.

The last day finished with a 20 mile descent from the from the limestone outcrops of Castelanne to the sunshine of Nice on the Mediterranean.

Ian said: “Most of us know of a family member or friends who have been affected by the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia generally. I felt that our efforts could usefully contribute to the ongoing research into alleviating the worst aspects of the disease.”

Their funding page is still open at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/3guyspedalling-1722799511285