Local cyclist takes on epic ride for Diabetes UK...

A storm might have got in the way of Ian Smith’s epic fundraising cycle ride, but he still managed to pedal some 750km (466 miles) in aid of Diabetes UK.

Ian’s original aim was to do the full London – Edinburgh – London ride which sees cyclists from around the world cycle more than 1,500 km (932 miles) in five days. But the wind and rain of Storm Floris intervened, as gusts of up to 100 mph convinced organizers to cut this year’s event short.

Ian, who lives with type 1 diabetes, was already well into his journey along with 2,000 other cyclists when the ride was called off.

“By that time, I’d already cycled 375 km (233 miles) from London and had made it to the checkpoint in Malton in North Yorkshire,” Ian explained.

He was very close to his home in Thirsk, but didn’t want to risk riding home in poor conditions, late in the day.

“The storm was coming at around 8pm and I didn’t want to be out in it on my own as it started to get dark. Participants were invited to stay overnight and we rode the route back to the start the next day.”

The storm didn’t manage to dampen Ian’s spirits, and the return journey to London took his total distance up to 750 km (466 miles).

“There was a great atmosphere during the cycle back, with riders and volunteers determined to carry on, despite the disappointment of not being able to complete our journey north,” he said.






















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