Four cyclists have completed a 54-mile ride to Brighton – but not without facing cramp, punctures and terrible weather.

Good friends Duncan Olden, Mark Johnson and brothers West and Rhys Parker set off on their journey from London on Sunday at 7am to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

After 30 miles, the quartet known as Heart and Sole had to stop as Mr Johnson’s legs began to suffer cramp. When the group reached the last five miles, medics were called to help stretch his limbs before he had a puncture and he had to run to the finish line.

West Parker, who runs WK Shoe Repairs in High Street, Sheerness, said: “It was more enjoyable seeing the sights, having a laugh and banter.”

The men were cheered on by a crowd who had congregated near the finishing line and completed their journey in three hours and 59 minutes, missing out on sharing breakfast with a team of six riding friends from Whitstable on Brighton Pier.

For Mr Olden the ride was personal, after he lost his father at the age of 39 to a heart attack.

He said: “It’s a charity that is close to me because I’m 34 and I’m getting to the age my father was when he died and I have got a couple of kids now so it gets the old brain working.”

Mr Parker said that they would do another charity event after many riders came forward and expressed their interest.

The 30-year-old added: “We had quite a few people who would have done it this year but it happened so quickly. Next year we hope to double the team.”

The group had hoped to raise £500 each but have currently raised £1,000 as a group.