TWO cyclists have switched the green hills of Denbighshire for the busy streets of London to take part in the UK’s biggest charity cycle.

Friends and training partners Guto Lloyd-Davies and Phil Michael, from Denbigh were joined by no fewer than 25,000 cyclists on the gruelling 100-mile RideLondon, the flagship cycling event launched in 2013.

But the traffic-jammed roads of the English capital were car-free to make way for the thousands with the aim to raise awareness of healthy and environmentally friendly means of transport.

The event on August 4 took on average six to eight hours to complete, with riders starting from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London, where the 2012 Olympic Games were held, and is now surrounded by award-winning parklands. The charity riders then pedalled across the city to Hampton Court, south west London, and out into the countryside of Newlands Corner, Surrey. They then rolled south east to Westcott, before returning back towards London through Leatherhead, into Kingston, Wimbledon and finishing at The Mall, in Westminster.

It was a big challenge for Guto, 45, who dedicated years to downhill mountain biking until seven years ago when he suffered a nasty fall, dislocated his shoulder and required two operations. Meanwhile Phil, an anaesthetist at Glan Clwyd Hospital, is a relative newcomer to the sport.

Now a dad-of-two, road cycling was a less dangerous pursuit and he commutes to Rhyl by bicycle or electric car.

“We both really enjoyed the event,” Guto said. “There is a bonhomie to cycling because you are getting physical exercise while enjoying the surroundings and nattering about your woes.

“It also benefits mental health and there is the challenge of pushing yourself and wanting to collapse but you keep going.”

The pair travelled side by side throughout the route and crossed the line together. Phil has raised £2,400 for Cancer Research UK while Guto raised more than £1,500 for Water Aid.

“We’d like to thank all our supporters for their contributions,” Guto added.

To donate to Guto or Phil’s fundraisers, visit their pages at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/guto-lloyd-davies and www.fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/phils-giving-page-78