RYAN Hall, Andrew Baker and his son George Baker are well on their way to completing the Land's End to John O'groats charity cycyle ride this weekend if all goes to plan.

Andrew, 54, is riding for The Devon Air Ambulance Trust, George, 19, who works at the Leisure Centre in Okehampton is riding for GSD the German Shepherd Dog rescue and re-homing charity, and Ryan Hall, 23, who works at the Leisure Centre in Holsworthy is riding for OCHRE the oesophageal cancer research charity.

They have a support driver, Andrew's eldest son Joseph, who is carrying a spare bike, spare parts, and the camping equipment. He is also be chief cook and bottlewasher, and he's also been carrying the first aid kit and copious amounts of 'udder cream' to soothe any sore bottoms along the way.

They have been in training for the last six months cycling round Devon and Cornwall — the best training ground as these two counties have more difficult climbs than any they will find in Scotland, the most difficult being from Hatherleigh to Tiverton.

The trio started their journey on Saturday, May 30 and aim to finish this Saturday.

Day one went well, apart from a near miss with a tractor, and their first puncture, they managed to complete 67 miles. The next day was not so good, starting with a long climb up to Bodmin Moor in driving wind and rain and dodging sheep. When they reached Holsworthy, it took over an hour to clean up their bikes before they could rest up.

On day three, Ryan, for some reason, decided to rename his blog, Le Blog, it could have been because they had such a 'gem' of a day, enjoying quiet roads and wonderful scenery.

After lunch in Lapford they had a fantastic ride down to Tiverton. The next stretch took them up to Clevedon via Bridgewater where an attempt was made to convert to them to the Mormon faith.

On to Tewkesbury via a variety of surfaces, canal tow paths smooth roads and gravel paths, the skies were blue, the wind was behind them and they were happy.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.