A group of cyclists from Newport in South Wales had the last laugh when they battled through icy rain and wind to complete a successful sponsored bike ride to Tenby on April Fool's Day.

Fifty-four-year-old Gareth Cole led his friends and fellow fund-raisers, Steve McSheedy, Paul Williams, John Hillier and Steve Edwards, 115 miles in one day on a 12-hour journey to the seaside resort.

The charity bike ride was to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, St. Anne's Hospice and Ward B6 of the North Royal Gwent Hospital - charities close to Gareth as he lost his father Mile Cole (president of the Golf Union of Wales in 2000 and 2001) to cancer back in 2004.

Speaking of the journey, Gareth said it was harder than he had imagined, mainly due to the four hours of hail, sleet and icy rain that they had had to endure.

"We started at 6.40 am from Newport, but the ride from Swansea to Carmarthen was very cold and wet," said Gareth.

"We battled through strong westerly winds, hail, sleet and icy rain. The final 30 miles from Carmarthen was hilly, but fortunately dry.

"We arrived in Tenby at 8 pm, found our hotel to stay at Kinloch Court, showered and made our way to the Plantagenet House for a warm welcome in front of their log fire, and a superb evening meal that sat comfortably alongside a bottle of wine and a few other much-needed beverages," added Gareth, who wants to say a big thank you to all those who have sponsored the cyclists so far.

You can view the charity cyclists' website at http://newport2tenby.wordpress.com/">http://newport2tenby.wordpress.com/ to sponsor and for further information on the challenge.