TWO teachers dared to take to Choppers off road, completing a charity bike ride of The Ridgeway in aid of Cancer Research UK and the Prospect Hospice.

Jon Palmer and Chris Cooper, who are Royal Wootton Bassett teachers, used original and unmodified Mark 2 Raleigh Choppers to completed the historic 87 miles of The Ridgeway, a route more usually tackled by keen hikers and mountain bikers. 

In total they completed a grand total of 106 miles over the course of two and a half days including a diversion to their Chiseldon homes at the end of the second day which, ironically was on the route of the ancient Ridgeway but is not on today's national trail.

Virtually all the journey was ridden but some pushing was involved through a number of footpath sections early on the trail.

The journey began at the testing Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire on Tuesday morning and the intrepid cyclists reached Avebury at lunchtime on Thursday, when they were warmly greeted by family and friends.

The challenge involved cycling through some spectacular landscapes including Uffington Hill and Coombe Hill in the Chilterns, climbing a total of around 6,500 feet.

They cycled alongside the river Thames in Oxfordshire, and passed the Prime Minister’s country retreat, Chequers where they were chased at one point by an angry cow.

Chris said: “The idea came about over a beer.

"Jon mentioned riding the Ridgeway during the summer holidays and maybe raising some money for Prospect, as he had lost both his mum and brother to cancer within a year.

"I ride a road bike, so didn’t really have a bike suitable, so I surprised Jon by buying two Choppers off eBay and suggesting the Chopper Challenge. The bikes were fantastic and the only issues we had were two punctures."

The two men attracted a lot of interest along the way and made people smile.

"Some wanted a quick chat and one keen mountain bike cyclist was very pleased to see the Raleigh choppers conquering the downs. He said that it had made his day! A response that we very much appreciated," they said.

"Some recalled memories of their childhood and the Choppers they had owned,” said Chris.

Jon said: “We hope to have raised nearly £2,000 for these charities that are personally very close to our hearts. The bike ride was fantastic, which made all the effort even more worthwhile.”

To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/chopperchallenge

More details of the ride are available at www.chopperbikechallenge.co.uk