Cross-Britain cyclists stop off in Shropshire

Sunshine and a cloudless summer day greeted hundreds of cyclists as they weaved their way through the Shropshire countryside as part of their mammoth 1,000-mile ride from John O'Groats to Land's End.

Chris Pook, 27, from Shrewsbury, headed the pack as more than 600 riders, who had earlier set out from Manchester on the 103-mile leg to Ludlow, pulled in for a much-needed pit stop at Longden, south of Shrewsbury, yesterday.

Dozens of pupils from Longden Primary School joined well-wishers along the roadside to cheer the riders on.

Chris, who with his brother Tom, 20, are doing the Deloitte Ride Across Britain challenge in honour of their father Marcus, who is undergoing chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer, was delighted with the reception.

Friends and family, including Marcus himself, were there to show their support.

Chris said: "I'm in second place overall for paying guests and in first on the day.

Determined

"It's been fantastic, especially riding through my home county. It's been pretty hard but I'm pretty determined I was keen to put a big shift in."

Greeting Chris and Tom along the route, Marcus Pook said: "I've very proud of both my sons."

Shropshire Star features writer Andy Richardson was also part of the county contingent on the ride, alongside Olympian James Cracknell. Andy said the Shropshire welcome had come as a huge boost.

During a pit stop he said: "It's amazing to be here. Coming through Cheshire you start seeing the signs for Whitchurch and Malpas, and coming further down you see a sign for Shrewsbury and you think, brilliant!"

James Cracknell chatted with pupils from Longden Primary School, blew vuvuzelas with them and signed autographs for fans.

He said: "I've been to Shrewsbury a few times and today Shropshire is lovely sunny blue skies and a bit of a tailwind. It's beautiful."

After an overnight stay in Culmington near Ludlow, the riders head towards Cheddar and are due at Land's End on Sunday.

By Ben Bentley