ROCKING and rolling their way through the countryside, 20 local cyclists are set to take on a charity challenge covering 130 miles next month.

The ride, which starts in Chip-penham and finishes in Great Torrington, Devon, will support ten charities; Scope, The Menin-gitis Trust, RNLI, The Rise Trust, Asthma UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Naomi House Hosp-ice, Hardenhuish Educational Trust, and Cancer Research UK.

Halfway through the trip, three of the group will take part in a four-hour fundraising gig at Oake Village Hall, near Taunton, for Cancer Research.

The event was dreamed up by Peter Williams in Pewsham, known to many as ‘Piano Pete’ for his role as a music teacher at Redland School in Chippenham, who roped in 19 of his friends to join him.

He said it will be the fulfillment of a boyhood dream to complete the cycle.

“As a lad growing up in Melksham in the 1970s and 1980s we used to travel to North Devon for family holidays,” he said.

“As long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to cycle there. Now, 30 or so years later I’m determined to do it. I’m delighted that I’ll also now be joined by up to 20 other riders who are all raising money for different charities. They’re a great bunch of guys. It’s going to be really hard work, but I’m sure their enthusiasm and wonderful sense of spirit will carry us along.”

Mr Williams, who is in the band Shake the Bucket, will be joined by drummer John Leyden and sound engineer Anthony Brown on the ride, and the men will perform their fundraising gig after a long day of cycling.

The next day the whole team will cycle for the final 65 miles to Great Torrington, where a champagne reception will be held.

The cyclists will pass through Chippenham, Bradford-On-Avon, Frome, Wells, Glaston-bury, Street, Taunton, South Molton, Barnstaple, Bideford and Torrington, as well as many villages.

“The idea of a sponsored cycle ride is not a new one, so I’ve tried to be a little bit more creative to capture everyone’s imagination, and added a music event to the weekend that will fit in nicely with the ride, and hopefully raise even more money for the various charities,” said Mr Williams.

The ride will begin at Hardenhuish School at 8.15am on July 21, finishing in Devon the following day.

For more details, including information on how to donate, visit www.cyclechallenge.info