MORE than 100 cyclists pedalled their way across the region on Saturday to raise money for charity.

Taking part in one of three routes of varying distances, 174 riders - well above the number organisers were expecting - collected more than £4,000 which will be given to a charity to fund infrastructure improvements in Nicaragua.

Participants could choose to take on a 25-mile route, a 40-mile course or a 70-mile ride via Cotswold Water Park as part of the Challenge for Hope sportive.

Organiser Ronald Swanwick, 70, joined about 90 cyclists on the longest route which left Dursley Rugby Club at 8.30am in the morning, arriving back in Stinchcombe at the same time as the other routes.

“It was very challenging,” he said. “The last few miles were a real struggle but by the time I’d finished and joined the other riders it was great.

“We had far more people taking part than we had expected which means we’ve raised our largest ever amount for the Peace and Hope Trust.”

Among the riders on the 25-mile route, which went south via Thornbury, was window cleaner John Paul Russell who took on the challenge with his work equipment in a trailer attached to his bike.

Helping Ronald to organise the event - the third year it has been held - was a team of more than 20 volunteers.

Although the amount raised has yet to be fully counted, more than £4,000 has been collected so far which will be donated to the charity.

Ronald said that the sportive would again be held next year with a target of 200 riders already having been set.