A GROUP of cyclists including William Cavendish, Lord Burlington, son of the Duke of Devonshire, completed a challenging 75 mile ride from The Devonshire Arms Hotel, Bolton Abbey and into the Peak District to Chatsworth House, in Derbyshire.

The 40 cyclists, who are hoping to raise £20,000 for the charity, Hospitality Action, which supports people in need in the hospitality sector, set off on Wednesday at 7am, with with team setting off in two stages at 7.30am and 7.45am the first rider arriving at Chatsworth  at an impressive 2.05pm, and the last across the finishing line at 5.30pm.  

The cyclists, mostly made up of hotel and restaurant staff, and including Richard Palmer, managing director of Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants, Adam Dyke, the Dev’s general manager; spa manager, Richard Delpino and concierge, Andy Seward, have spent the last several weeks training hard for the challenge, which saw them crossing the Dales and into the Peak District, including some tough climbs. Their route took them through Addingham, Silsden and Keighley, past Bradford and on to Heckmondwyke, Shepley, over Penistone, Midhopestones and Bamford - before arriving at Chatsworth.

Mr Palmer said:"Wednesday was a tough physical challenge, I have to admit, especially on some of those climbs. I was so proud though of everyone in the team, they all kept smiling and the camaraderie was brilliant, we kept each other going and we were all still smiling at the end with our sense of achievement.The support teams were wonderful too,  a great team effort all round – we certainly couldn’t have hoped for a better team-building experience."

He added: "Of course the main bonus is the help that we have been able to afford this superb charity, supporting those either working in, or retired from, the hotel and restaurant trade - offering them a crucial lifeline in times of need. After learning about their work, we wanted to give something back to the industry, and our colleagues – win, win."

To sponsor the teams’ efforts for Hospitality Action, go to: justgiving.com/fundraising/dhrgcharitycycleride