CYCLISTS of all abilities and levels of experience battled through the heat over the weekend to raise cash for Manorlands.

They took part in the ninth Bronte Sportive, tackling four different, demanding routes across the Pennines starting and finishing from Keighley College.

A total of 185 riders took on either the 29-mile “Anne” route, the 50-mile “Emily”, the 69-mile “Charlotte” or the 88-mile Heathcliff.

Commenting after the riders began arriving back at the college on Sunday afternoon, Manorlands fundraiser Andrew Wood said: “For once it has been a nice day for the Bronte Sportive. In the nine years it’s been going this has been the best weather we’ve had.

“We have had a few people removing our direction signs, which can’t be helped, and that sent some riders in the wrong direction, but everybody did find their way back to the finish.

“A big ‘thank you’ to All Terrain Cycles, who were our main sponsors, and to our hosts Keighley College.

“We should have raised in the region of £6,000.”

Mr Wood said that making the Sportive a tough ride makes it easier for participants to attract more sponsorship cash, as donors appreciate the cyclists are doing something genuinely demanding.

Among the riders on Sunday were Woodhouse resident and Ellis Briggs Cycles employee Simon Oldfield, 47, a dedicated cyclist who rode on a bike he had made himself.

He rode alongside Saltaire resident Alison Shaw, 40. The pair both completed the 29-mile route in three hours and said the heat was the biggest obstacle.

Making the occasion a family affair were the Ellisons from Oxenhope, including mum and dad riding with 11-year-old Noah and 13-year-old Harry.

Noah, an Oxenhope Primary School pupil who has been cycling since he was old enough to walk, finished the 50-mile course in three hours 53 minutes.

“It was hard, and the most difficult bit was the Cow and Calf climb,” he said. “It was the first time I’ve done it, and I’d like to do it again next time.”

His mother, Vikki, 45, said she had only taken up cycling four weeks ago to help get fit.

“Today was my first competitive cycle,” she said. “It was very hard, with a lot of climbing and some awful hills around Lothersdale.”

Visit the Ride for Manorlands Facebook page for full 2018 Sportive results.