Organisers are celebrating the sucess of its 9th annual bike challenge.

On Saturday June 11, 140 riders arrived in Haydon Bridge bright and early for the 9th Haydon Hundred Cyclo Sportive.

"The day is a fun but challenging cycling event based in Haydon Bridge," One of the organisers, Ian Foster said.

"The event allows riders to explore some of the highest roads in the North Pennines to provides them with a scenic and testing day out."

The Haydon Hundred started in 2013 but had an enforced break for Covid in 2020.

Ian said:"Entries vary from year to year – last year was particularly good with over 300 riders eager to get out again after a long layoff due to the pandemic.

"More normally we expect around 200 entrants but this year was a little down, most likely because of the weather.

There are three routes which riders can do; The Challenge (60k), The Classic (100k, the original route which gave the event its name), and the most challenging Skyrider (140k), which visits five of the six highest roads in England.

Ian adds : "It’s not a race; entrants are timed at start and finish and can look to improve their individual times, or just admire the beautiful countryside they are riding through.

"The event is organsised by the Haydon Bridge Development Trust which is to help promote tourism to the village and to contribute financially towards its objectives.

"All the money raised goes towards the running costs of the volunteer-run village library."