A BEVY of ladies in pink t-shirts and bright pink tu-tus must have been a bit of a surprise for some customers at the Beer Engine, Newton St Cyres on Good Friday.

It was no ballet stunt but a serious challenge to see how many miles they could cycle to raise funds for three cancer charities.

The ladies are all taking part in the UK’s women only night cycle ride through London - Ride the Night Challenge - to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

On Good Friday their challenge was to see how far they could cycle between 1.30pm and 8pm, taking it in turns. People could guess at how many miles with the nearest winning a voucher, kindly donated by Will and Victoria at the Beer Engine.

Each rider needs to raise at least £199 for the charities. They also have Just Giving pages.

The didn’t all know each other at first, the idea having been floated by one of three sisters who were joined by a sister-in-law and then by four friends.

They said they were doing the 100 km night ride for their own sense of achievement and to take part in a special event where they will experience a huge sense of friendship and camaraderie and, hopefully, raise lots of money for the three amazing cancer charities.

They added that in a weak moment, they had been convinced that it would be fun and a challenge on which to focus over the winter. It is also a reason for getting out and doing lots of training.

The team who will be Riding the Night are Veronica Ayre (Shobrooke), Sue Taylor (Half Moon), Penny Daw (Shobrooke), Barbara Horsman (Upton Pyne), Fiona Sara (Shobrooke), Natalie Paterson (Upton Hellions), Jane Brimacombe from Yeoford, plus two ladies who used to live at Sandford - Carol McLlaughlin now living in Trowbridge and Nicola Dockins, Barnstaple.

Their route will start and end at Royal Windsor Racecourse taking them past some of the famous London landmarks including Twickenham, Richmond, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Admiralty Arch, Westminster Bridge and Lambeth Bridge, along the Embankment, past Hampton Court Palace, the Magna Carta Monument, and Windsor Castle.

Sue Read