A North Berwick cyclist has completed an epic challenge, cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats in nine days for charity.

Lewis Edgar, 24, completed the Ride Across Britain, which saw more than 1,000 riders set off from Land’s End in Cornwall, navigating 980 miles of varying terrain to reach the village in the far north-east of Scotland.

Lewis was cycling in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, so far raising £2,130 for the charity.

Lewis told the Courier he had wanted to support the charity via one of his passions.

He said: “It was 980-odd miles in nine consecutive days but it was all about giving something back.

“You never know what is round the corner and you might need support yourself – I thought it would be a good idea to take something on, challenge myself and do something good for other people as well.”

Lewis recently moved to Falkirk, having lived most of his life on North Berwick’s Fidra Court with parents Jim and Mandy and sister Becca.

He said members of his family had experienced living with cancer, and Macmillan was the perfect fit for his gruelling trip.

He added: “There were connections with family in the past, and people living with cancer at the moment in the family, unfortunately.”

Lewis has a long-held passion for cycling, normally endurance mountain biking, so the chance to ride the length of the country was a challenge he had dreamt of accomplishing.

The former North Berwick High School pupil said: “I’ve always been into cycling, not so much road cycling but more endurance mountain biking, and getting covered in mud in the woods at Glentress in the Borders – that’s normally been my bag.

“But Land’s End to John O’Groats was a challenge I did want to take on – it’s definitely the biggest challenge I’ve taken on yet!”

Lewis spent nine days on his bike for several hours a day, experiencing all weather conditions, but said that remembering why he was doing it motivated him to keep going.

He said: “I think there was a lot of highs and lows, but it’s just about remembering why you are doing it and what you’re doing it for.

“Sitting on a bike for eight, nine, 10 hours a day, you’re never going to feel good for the whole time.

“I probably had the worst day I ever had on a bike and some of the best days I ever had on a bike, all in that one trip.”

Lewis said speaking to the other riders also made the trip feel easier.

He said: “The amount of people I met and spoke to was absolutely incredible. I’d never spoken to so many people in such a short period of time – and there was a lot of amazing stories and a lot of people raising money for amazing things.”

Lewis also heaped praise on everyone who supported his trip and donated money, and the East Lothian community that got behind him, including Belhaven Bikes in Dunbar.

Lewis is now eyeing his next challenge, whatever that might be.

He said: “I don’t think it will be the last challenge I take on, whether it be for charity or some personal challenge.”

People can still donate to Lewis’s ride at www.justgiving.com/fundrais ing/Lewis-Edgar