AROUND 160 people got on their bikes at the weekend to raise funds for Manorlands.

The popular Bronte Mountain Bike Challenge, which hadn't been held since 2019 due to the pandemic, made a return.

And yesterday's event raised about £5,500 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

The challenge, first held in 2005, gives participants the choice of four routes.

Longest of the rides, at 36.1 miles and with a 4,509ft cumulative climb, is the Heathcliff route.

Or riders can opt for Charlotte, at 27.7 miles, Emily – which covers 22.2 miles – or the 12.6-mile Anne.

All the routes start and finish at Oxenhope recreation ground.

First rider home in the Heathcliff event was Lewis Payne, in three hours, three minutes and 39 seconds.

He was about 14 minutes ahead of Dave Kirkham in second.

In the Charlotte ride, first back was Darren Holmes, with a time of 2:19:39. Second was Matt Poole, in 2:36:47. First lady finisher was Kate Whittaker, in 3:42:43.

First home on the Emily route was Steven McHugh, in 2:08:53. He was just two seconds ahead of Martyn Shield. First lady was Louise Hanley, who finished in 2:28:42.

Top spot in the Anne ride went to Dan Timbers, in 2:25:52. The first lady to finish was Helen Schofield, in 3:54:41.

Andrew Wood, community fundraising manager at Manorlands, said: "We’ve really missed holding this event over the last couple of years and it was a great feeling to welcome everyone back to the start line.

"It’s an important event in our fundraising calendar as well as a fun and exciting ride for people of all ages and abilities.

"We’d like to say a huge 'thank you' to the Manorlands Cycling Events Fundraising Group for its support in organising the challenge, our sponsors All Terrain Cycles and Pure Residential Letting Specialists, and everyone who saddled-up and raised crucial funds to help us be there when it matters for people and fill last days with love."

All participants received a bespoke Bronte Mountain Bike Challenge water bottle, courtesy of Pure Lettings, and a hot meal at the finish.

Traditionally the challenge has been held in September, but this year's was brought forward due to the introduction of a new event in October – the Three Dales Marathon. Participants will be challenged to mountain bike or run 26.2 miles across the dales of the Ribble, Aire and Wharfe.