A 69-YEAR-OLD cyclist has raised £700 for the Wales Air Ambulance by doing a 50km bike ride.

Brian Clenton, from Llwyngwril, pedalled in a loop from Aberdyfi to Arthog after learning about the charity’s operations during a course about how to use the defibrillator which was recently installed in the area.

The Cambrian Coast Sportive, which took place last month, saw Brian ride through a gamut of emotions.

“When the day arrived I was a bit apprehensive as I hadn’t done anything like this at all,” he told the Cambrian News.

“When we started, I decided to stick with a group who were travelling at a pace which was a little bit slower than my training speed so that I wouldn’t get carried away with an adrenalin rush.

“On reaching Tonfanau, part of the road was totally flooded which meant getting wet off the spray of the bikes in front.

“After joining the main road again another cyclist passed me so I tagged on to their faster speed which helped me round Cae Du and up the hill past Llangelin.

“On reaching the downhill part past Sunbeach caravans I put a spurt on to show off on reaching Llwyngwril.

“The descent into Fairbourne was fast and a bit slippy but I made it okay in the end."

Read all about Brian’s bike ride in this week’s Meirionnydd edition, on sale now