'Beery Bikers' pedal all the way to Spain for charity
The pedalling pals have cycled from West Haddon to Spain for charity and in memory of their loved ones.
'Beery Bikers' cycle all the way to Spain for charity
Julian Annison and Michael Martin have raised more than £7,000 so far
Two friends, known as the Beery Bikers, have finished a charity bike ride from Northamptonshire to Spain in memory of their loved ones.
Julian Annison and Michael Martin set off from their hometown of West Haddon and shared their journey on social media as they covered 1,289 miles (2,074 km).
The pair have collected more than £7,000 for the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of Martin's mum and Annison's wife, both of whom died last year.
Annison, 59, a retired engineer, said: "It's one of the things [my wife] wanted us to do. It was something for me to focus on after she passed away."
The adventurers tackled the 6,939ft (2,115m) Col du Tourmalet in the French Pyrenees
The two began planning the cycling trip last year, and at that stage had intended for Annison's wife, Diane, and Martin's wife, Catherine, to meet them in Spain at the end of the journey.
But after Diane died in December from a rare aggressive sarcoma cancer of the uterus, the friends both retired early and carried on with the trip in her memory.
Martin, whose mum died from a heart attack last year, said: "We came up with the phrase The Beery Bikers... we're really trying to turn something that's not so positive, into a bit of fun."
They left on 27 August from The Crown Inn in West Haddon and since then the cyclists have raised £7,500 so far, with a target of £10,000.
Martin, 58, said: "The support we've got from strangers and meeting people along the way has been fantastic."
Cycling for up to seven hours a day, the terrain was "quite a challenge" according to his companion.
Over the course of their adventure, which involved climbing nearly 17,000 ft (5,182m) of hills and mountains, they each burned more than 55,000 calories.
The Beery Bikers say they enjoy a cheeky half pint when they stop in the evening
The pair told Annabel Amos on BBC Radio Northampton they reached Castro Urdiales, not far from Santander, earlier than they expected.
On Sunday they plan to take a ferry from Santander to return home and celebrate with friends and family.