TWO lads from Ivybridge and Yealmpton have just returned from a challenging, pedal-powered trip to Costa Rica to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

Kieron Doherty and Owen Thomas cycled nearly 500 kilometres, from the Pacific coast of the Central American country to the Caribbean, in seven days.

The pair were part of a team of 12 that took on the St Luke’s Costa Rica Cycle Challenge.

Despite its reputation as a tropical paradise, Kieron said that they experienced mixed weather on the trip, as well as a tough physical challenge.

The Ivybridge father of three said: ‘It was difficult. The terrain wasn’t easy and there were a lot of long, steep hills.

‘It was 42 degrees on the first day, really hot, so that was pretty hard. The second day was hot but really windy, and then the rest of the time it rained, even though it was supposed to be dry season.

‘It was real tropical rain, really wet and raining heavily, so we were soaked for five days. But I’m glad it wasn’t 42 degrees all the time.

‘We were travelling cross country through huge banana and pineapple plantations, with tiny villages in the middle. The country’s main income is from fruit exports.

‘The highlight for me was finishing! Even though the Caribbean coast wasn’t as I expected, with overcast sky and the sea not blue, the sense of achievement and getting to jump in the nice warm water was amazing.

‘It was a shock driving to work today in minus four.’

Kieron explained why he and Owen had decided to raise money for St Luke’s. He continued: ‘We’ve both had friends go into St Luke’s. It’s our local hospice, and you never know, one of us might end up in there, or one of our family.

‘It’s obviously not funded, and they need something like four million pounds a year to run.

‘We’re still fundraising to reach our targets and we had to take time off work, but it was well worth it. We’re both married as well, and both have three kids – we left our wives with a big job.

‘But at least we got back on Valentine’s day – that was their present.’

Kieron and Owen are particularly grateful for the support of the Westward Inn in Lee Mill, which has allowed the lads to host fundraising events there with no charge. A comedy night at the Westward, sponsored by Howards Accident Repair Centre in Ivybridge, is taking place on Friday, February 26 beginning at 8pm.

Tickets are available at the bar, or from Kieron or Owen directly. To support Kieron, visit costarica.everydayhero.com/uk/kieron-doherty