A team of Kent cyclists battled the conditions to ride over 250 miles between three county cricket grounds inside three days for charity this week.

The guys from Cricket Cubs and Friends took to the roads this week as they got on their bikes for CRY UK who raise funds and awareness for heart screening.

With Kent all-rounder Calum Haggett one of those that have benefited from heart screening, the team of cyclists took to the roads on Tuesday morning, heading off from the 44Two club in Gillingham to Lord’s where they were met by former England bowler Gus Fraser.

After a few delays getting through the London traffic, heavy rain, some punctures and a fall, the team of five cyclists finally made it to Tunbridge Wells for their first overnight stop at 10:30pm.

A hearty breakfast, four of the riders then cycled on to Hove, getting to the cricket ground shortly before Kent took on Sussex in the Twenty 20.

A further overnight stop in Rye saw the team refreshed and ready for the final leg of the journey that saw them head on back up through Kent via the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Further punctures delayed proceedings, but the Cricket Cubs riders made it to Canterbury in time to be met by coach Phil Relf, who offered some words of wisdom and encouragement for the final thirty miles back to Gillingham.

Having made it all the way around, founder of Cricket Cubs and one of the riders Jon waite explained how the three day ride went:

“It was a tough but pleasing outcome with a lot of pedalling, a lot of punctures, and some very sore and aching legs.”

“We were thrilled to have got around the 250 miles in the trying conditions and huge thanks must go to everyone at Lord’s for making us feel very welcome and especially to Phil Relf at Kent Cricket for taking the time to come out and see us at Canterbury.”

Meanwhile, Steve Waite went on to explain how the three day ride had been tough both physically and mentally:

“We did it, and did it well. It was a tough but thoroughly enjoyable experience, although there were a few ups and downs along the way and not just in terms of the roads we encountered, but we eventually made it.”

“The weather made it that bit harder and the first two nights saw us cycling in the dark. Punctures were a real problem with 22 in all between us, but we dug in and kept going as we knew it was for such a worthy cause.”

The team were supported by Steve Short of South East 4×4 Response Team who followed the cyclists around for the three days and he was thrilled to have been part of what was a tough three days for the guys on the bikes:

“I was pleased to be part of this event. It was a tough 3 days for everyone involved!”

“We had to keep arranging where to meet up as the guys kept picking up punctures along the route. At one stage Jon had two punctures and we had to make various trips to get more inner tubes.”

To find out more about the ride and how you can donate, visit the Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/Cricket-Cubs2013