Trio celebrate raising £10k in epic cycle

THREE Edinburgh businessmen have taken part in a 1,000-mile cycle across Britain alongside double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell.

Ben Reed, of commercial property firm Jones Lang LaSalle, Andrew Cartmail, of rival BNP Paribas Real Estate and Crawford Geddes of Keiller Edinburgh, raised more than 10,000 for charity after taking part in the nine-day challenge.

They were among 600 cyclists from across the UK that took part in the Ride Across Britain.

They spent nine days in the saddle. The route finished on Saturday with a journey through the hills of Devon and Cornwall.

Mr Reed, 41, said: "My main memories will be the camaraderie amongst the fellow riders, the sheers scale of the event – to move 600 riders and base camp down the country everyday – and some beautiful scenery.

"I awoke this morning with a great feeling of accomplishment but also relief that I don't have to face another night under canvas, portaloos, bananas, energy powders and gels, chamois cream, 5am alarm calls, sore knees and chocolate.

"I think the road bike will be put away for a while."