THREE brave men were not going to let sweat, blood and crashes stop them as they cycled 200 miles on an annual charity cycle trip recently.

Steve Vanstone, Stuart Corbett and Mike Lyddon cycled from Tavistock to Teignmouth and back again to raise money for muscle disease charity the Myasthenia Gravis Association (MGA).

Steve organises the trip every year in memory of his mother Theresa Vanstone, and this year, the trip did not go so smoothly, with the lads encountering a few knocks along the way.

On day one Stuart was set upon by a dog along the Tarka Trail, causing him to collide into Steve and both ended up upside-down — one in a hedge and one face down on the concrete.

It was then Mike's turn to come off his bike. Steve said: 'With 15 miles still to travel spirits were down, but they were raised on entry to Ilfracombe — 100 yards from the bed and breakfast — Mike managed to hit a curb, fly over his handlebars and join the bloody brigade!'

Day two was much less eventful for the boys, but after cycling 81 miles from Ilfracombe to Dawlish, they were met by organisers of the MGA who passed on their thanks.

The team cycled back into Tavistock town centre on day three, completing just over 200 miles.

Steve said: 'So far we have raised just over £1,300 and thanks to everyone who has supported us. If you would like to pledge some money just log onto http://www.justgiving.com">www.justgiving.com and type in Steve Vanstone.'