FIVE pals will set out on a 188-mile cycle ride in memory of a friend who died of cancer.

Dean Noble, Phil Lunn, Ruaraidh Pope, Stevie Allen and Steve Cousins will take on a two-day journey to remember Kevin Basting, known as ‘Stokie’ to his friends, who lost his battle with the disease in August 2017.

After Kevin’s death the group decided to honour his memory and raise money for anyone who has had to go through the same suffering as the “much-loved personality”.

The team of locals will pedal to raise pounds for Cancer Research UK and will ride from Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium on August 25 to The Station Inn, Andover.

The Stoke stadium was Kevin’s spiritual home and throughout their journey from the ground to the town pub, the group say they will continue sharing his memory and raising money for the charity.

And the team are racing through to their target of £2,500, with extra donations from a number of Andover firms which have made the expedition possible.

Phil said: “We absolutely could not have got this so far without the support that we’ve had from local businesses, it really is amazing what great people and companies we have in this town.”

It is a daunting task for some of the friends who are not regular cyclists, but they are putting on their Lycra and are ready to have an adventure to raise funds.

Dean said: “A few adjustments in lifestyle have had to be made in order to increase fitness levels to be able to cycle 100 miles in a day, followed by 88 the very next morning, it’s going to hurt at times, but it’s for such a good cause, we will all cope.”

But the friends fundraising will not stop there as on Wednesday the five took on a charity wax, where each endured the pain for a small donation.

And after they return from the ride a celebration of Kevin’s life will take place where a band will play and a barbecue will be provided at the Station Inn, with all proceeds going to charity.

To follow the team’s journey, go to Facebook and search Ride For Stokie.