A TEAM of life-saving cyclists have completed a scorching bike ride across the county and have raised more than £2,000.

The BEEP Doctors cycle team have now hung up their helmets after completing the epic 260-mile cycle ride around Cumbria to raise vital funding for the charity.

Setting off from Penrith on Friday, July 16, the team endured the hottest weather this year as they pedalled from the town's health centre-where the charity was first formed- through Appleby to Sedbergh, with a pit stop for lunch at the Ye Olde Fleece Inn in Kendal, Ulverston to Gosforth, up to Silloth, across to Carlisle, on to Croglin and Kirkoswald and then back home to Penrith head quarters on Tuesday.

News and Star: LUNCH TIME: The group at the Ye Olde Fleece in Kendal

Dr Theo Weston, who formed the charity in 1994, spearheaded the peloton which included Chris Gasgarth, Nigel Harling, Will Ripley, Sean Duffy and Tim Taylor.

They were also joined and cheered on by various friends of the charity including Rob Douglas, president of the Rotary Club of West Lakeland, who also helped with planning and vehicle support over the five-day challenge.

Thankfully, there were no major problems during the ride, and everyone survived the incredibly warm weather-mainly thanks to their support crew consisting of each of the two main riders’ wives, who ensured the cyclists kept hydrated.

A total of £2,061 has been raised so far, which will go towards the BEEP Doctors’ fundraising campaign to raise £145,000 in 2021.

The campaign will enable the charity to buy lifesaving equipment for their team of doctors to use during emergency callouts across Cumbria.

News and Star: VIEW: Overlooking Scafell

Each doctor carries a basic amount of equipment as well as a number of devices not used by paramedics including ultrasound scanners. The more serious the incident they attend, the more advanced equipment they need to monitor patients, perform lifesaving surgery or even anaesthetise patients before they are taken to hospital.

“We are blown away by the support we’ve had for the cycle event,” said Dr Weston.

“We originally planned to do it in 2020 but have had to postpone it until now and the weather gods were certainly shining down on us!

“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported us, cycled with us, cheers us on “beeped” their horn or donated money to the charity.

"The event has been fantastic, but I will be happy not to get on my bike for a few weeks and sleep in my own bed!”