ON Saturday 30th May, while many people were asleep, six ladies from Monmouth were taking part in a 100km cycling event.

The Monmouth MADams group entered the "Women v Cancer – Ride the Night" bike ride, the country's only women-only night cycle event, to raise money for charity.

The ride supports three UK cancer charities – Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust – with the team of six inspired by Michelle Davies and Liz Cleaves who had completed the event last year. Both returned for this year's event and they were joined by Jill Rudd, Jodie Ballard, Diane Ridley and Kathryn Beavan-Seymour.

The team, dressed in neon outfits, set off from Windsor at 9.15pm, after negotiating a difficult trip down to Berkshire with missing equipment adding to the stress levels created by huge tailbacks on the motorway.

However, all six got underway safely and peddled past Windsor Castle shortly after the off.

The group headed into London, heading in via Putney and Battersea, before crossing Westminster Bridge and passing Big Ben at 11.50pm.

The next stop, and much anticipated rest point, was just around the corner at Buckingham Palace – though it is tough to say whether it was the splendour of the famous landmark or the doughnut stand outside that caught the eye most.

Unfortunately for the group, it was at this point that the rain began, hindering the return leg which crossed back over the river at Putney and over Richmond Hill before reaching the start point at the Royal Windsor Racecourse.

The Monmouth MADams arrived back wet and tired (but happy) after around six hours in the saddle.

They were told that collectively, £750,000 had been raised for the cancer charities, with the Monmouth MADams raising £2081.01. To donate, you can visit http://www.justgiving.com/jill-rudd">www.justgiving.com/jill-rudd