FOUR friends from Penarth have completed an audacious fundraising challenge - a continuous nine-day cycle from coast to coast across North America - in honour of local marine Paul Woodland.

Due to adverse hurricane warnings ultra-endurance brothers Scott and Rhys Jenkins, Lewis Earls, brother to Paul’s fiancée, Sian, and Paul’s best friend Ross Stephenson, had to deviate slightly from their original plan, finishing in Jacksonville, Florida, instead of Key West.

But they each cycled close to 100 miles a day in just 6 hours, for the challenge called Point2Point: Cycling the Divide.

They tackled 13,500ft inclines; dealt with a relentless heatwave; dodged snakes; and navigated desolate ghost towns, all across 14 different states.

The cycle started on July 1 from Discovery Park in Seattle, America’s most Northern point - iconically through the dipping of the rear tyre into the North Pacific Ocean - and finished 3,500 miles later, at the North Atlantic Ocean, on July 9.

They were greeted by a welcome procession by US Marine Corp Veterans and the Mayor in one town, and presented with a US Marine Corp flag and beret for widow Sian.

July 3 was declared as ‘British Royal Marines Day’ in the town on Rawlins.

Ross, a cycling novice, called it the hardest thing he has ever done. “But with the guys there and Woody in mind, I was determined to succeed,” he added. “I said before but I'm genuinely honoured to have had the opportunity to do this amazing challenge in memory of the greatest man and closest friend I had the pleasure of knowing.”

Scott said the friends had Paul there in spirit the whole way.

“I’m pretty sure he would have enjoyed watching and laughing as Lewis flipped over the handlebars on the Interstate on day one and at my dad knocking me off my bike with the support vehicle on the second day at 30mph,” he said.

Paul’s fiancée Sian said she was was incredibly proud. “The fact that each of them took the time to train, plan, promote and complete this epic challenge all in my fiancés memory makes me so honoured,” she said. “They are an inspiration to me and I will forever be thankful.”

The challenge was sponsored by Taylors International, with Shuttr Velo and Matrix Cycles providing the kit and bikes.

The friends hope to raise £10,000 for the Royal Marine Association, but they are only half way towards their target.

Top donate visit www.justgiving.com/pointtopoint