TWO Petersfield cyclists spent Sunday riding the 1994 Tour de France route through Hampshire for children’s charities.

Ed Leigh took up cycling while living in London, and for three years has been fundraising for children through the Heavy Metal Truants charity.

But during the first lockdown he was made redundant from his job with Ticketmaster, and returned to the family home in Moggs Mead with his girlfriend Lisa.

And while working in Hoxtons Bakery in The Square he planned his 113-mile ride in aid of the charities Childline, The Teenage Cancer Trust and Save The Children.

Ed said: “When the tour came through Petersfield in 1994, I was seven and stood outside the old Petersfield Post office in the High Street to see it go by.”

But then he was offered his Ticketmaster job back and his ambition to complete the gruelling tour route had to be realised before moving back to London.

Ed added: “Cycling over 100 miles was always going to be a challenge, but Harting Hill at 99 miles in was the toughest thing I have ever done!

“It was worth it though and I’m proud to support such fantastic charities.”

And his determination to conquer the route was shared by cycling partner Piers Dennis, formerly of Hawkley and now living and working in London.

So at 7am on Sunday they left Portsmouth, only to face sapping 70 degree heat throughout the ride that saw them back at Portsmouth at about 4.30pm.

Father-to-be Piers said: “The first 50 miles were great, the roads were quiet, the weather beautiful, and we reached Andover in great spirits.

“But bank holiday traffic and cycling up Harting Hill were real low points. Next time I try a ride like that I’d do a bit more training first!

“And a big thank you to the nice people at The Trooper Inn at Froxfield for re-filling our water bottles during a hard stretch of the ride.”

From Portsmouth, the route went through Winchester, Andover, Basingstoke and Alton, down Stoner Hill into Petersfield Square and back to Portsmouth.

Anyone who would like to donate should visit the webpage at sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/entry/452134