AFTER 992 miles pedalling from John O'Groats in Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall four 'not so old' friends are happy to climb off the saddle after a sponsored bike ride.

David Balment, aged 65, Angus McPhie, 65, and Charlie Beilby, 70, from Tavistock along with Brian Steward, 63, from Truro said their journey had been a great adventure and despite aching limbs, saddle sores and the odd puncture (tyre not lumbar!), the kindness and generosity of the people along the way made it more than worthwhile.

The four started out on April 10 from the tip of the Scottish mainland and completed their epic journey more than two weeks later on April 26, staying at bed and breakfast places along the way.

On their ride they have collected money to give to two charities close to David Balment's heart — Polzeath Surf Life Saving Club and St Luke's Hospice in Plymouth. So far they have raised £1,800 and hope to top £2,000 from further donations.

David, a retired director of estate agents Mansbridge and Balment, lost his 19 year-old son Tom in 1996. Tom had tried, unsuccessfully, to save the life of his friend, Nick Woods, 16, when they got into trouble while surfing off the Cornish coast. Since then David has been instrumental in raising money for the surf club.

The money raised for St Luke's will be in memory of his friend and business partner Martin Gibbs, a fellow director at Mansbridge and Balment, who died of cancer last year.

The friends pedalled from John O'Groats past Inverness, Loch Ness and on to Oban and Tarbart; they caught a ferry to the Isle of Arran and another ferry back to the mainland before crossing the border and taking a route through Shapp in West Yorkshire, on to Ludlow in Shropshire, Shrewsbury and Bristol before heading for the 'home straight'.

David told the Times: 'It was thoroughly enjoyable and hard at times but the kindness of the people along the way made it all worthwhile.

'In Scotland one Sunday when one of our cycles had a puncture this man kindly went ten miles out of his way to take it to his bike shop to repair it — free of charge.

'Many a time we had cups of teas at cafés where the owners waived their charge when they knew we were riding for charity.

'The worst hills were those reserved in Devon and Cornwall and it was a relief to finish. Recovery doesn't get any easier as you get older but it was a great adventure and the four of us had a lot of fun — even when we temporarily lost Angus along the way!

To sponsor the riders go to justgiving.com/bikathon (for St Luke's) and http://www.justgiving.com/5K5star">www.justgiving.com/5K5star (for Polzeath Surf Life Saving Club) or contact Sue Balment on 07909 903210.