CHARITY cyclists have smashed their fundraising target after completing a 170-mile Coast to Coast challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The 14 dads and lads from Knutsford and Northwich have hit the £4,000 mark for the charity, double the target they had set themselves.

The event was organised by Gavin Campbell, from Knutsford, whose mother Nuala lost her battle to cancer in 2001.

The cyclists followed the Way of the Roses route created by Sustrans two years ago, taking them from Morecambe to Bridlington.

The route included two climbs to a height of 375 metres, and the cyclists were in the saddle for a total of 21 hours.

They set off on Saturday morning, and arrived on the sea front at Bridlington at 2pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

“It was an exhilarating and exciting event,” said Gavin’s father Colin, 59, who took part in the challenge.

Colin is head of sales at Voice Concepts in Knutsford, which sponsored the challenge.

“The sun was shining when we arrived on the sea front at Bridlington, and we all piled into a cafe across the road,” he said.

“I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored us, Voice Concepts, family and friends and Guardian readers. We will be keeping the justgiving website open for another month.”

Anyone who would like to donate can visit www.justgiving.com/14coasttocoast2014.

The Way of the Roses route was created to celebrate 15 years of the National Cycle Network.