A Durrington man has completed a marathon bike ride for charity.
Ashley Capewell, 26, cycled 100 miles through "horrendous" conditions, including "25mph winds, hailstones and thunder and lightning", posting an official time of just 4 hours and 45 minutes.
Ashley said: "Many of my family have suffered with cancer over the last few years, so I was thinking about running a marathon to raise money, but I have struggled with a chronic knee issue for the last 2 years which means I'd never be able to handle the volume of running that would be required. I bought a bike in January to start commuting through London and enjoyed it so I signed up to the cycling equivalent of the marathon."
Prudential RideLondon follows the same route cyclists used during the London Olympics in 2012.
In total, Ashley raised more than £2,200 for Cancer Research UK, far surpassing his target of £800.
Ashley added: "The event was incredible I have never done a sportive before and I think regardless of the conditions that was a great one to start with.
"I am extremely proud of myself for completing the ride and the time that I posted, and even more proud of the money we have raised for Cancer Research UK."
It doesn't end here for Ashley, with the next big cycle already in the diary: "I have absolutely got the bug now, I have invested in a better bike and I have signed up to another sportive in September which is 116 miles", he said, "and I want to thank everyone for their donations and their support!"
Donations can still be given on Ashley's online page: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/ashleys-giving-page-44
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