A cycling couple from Fairlie showed that they were 'miles better' after raising £483 for the British Heart Foundation.

Colin and Irene Malcolm embarked on the bold challenge last September as they joined 100 cyclists who rode the Ardennes Challenge.

They were part of a team of four who rode in relay covering 500 miles in three days through beautiful but challenging hillsides.

The terrain in the Ardennes region included regions of France and Belgium. 

Colin, 62, and Irene, 63, of Montgomerie Drive, joined friends from down south, Chris and Jo Wilson from Aston Le Walls, in the annual challenge, which they have been participating in during the past few years.

The extra mile cycle challenge sees 75% of all funds raised go to the British Heart Foundation, while 25% goes to the Extra Mile charity.

Colin, is a retired operations engineer at Hunterston B Power Station, and Irene, a retired staff nurse at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

The first day of the cycle proved to be a major challenge due to heavy rain which lasted throughout all ten hours of the cycle, and was relatively flat.

The first day cycling followed a loop out and back to Valenciennes with ‘approaching monsoon like’ downpours in the afternoon.

Days 2 and 3 brought better weather, and some spectacular views; from the mist covered sunrises to elevated panoramas across the Meuse valley and Ardennes region. 

The second day was slightly hillier and undulating - Days two and three brought better weather, and some spectacular views; from the mist covered sunrises to elevated panoramas across the Meuse valley and Ardennes region. 

However, the elevations did not matter to Colin who  treated it pragmatically and told the News that the hills were 'nowhere near as tough as the Fairlie Moor Road' which is his regular practice circuit, and nothing that was more than 15% gradient.

Each day was ten hours cycling, and each of the four cyclists taking it in turns to ride the support vehicle which was Chris and Jo's car.

Colin said: "The last day was stunning as the scenery was so fantastic and made it all worthwhile. It is a very well organised event, and there are so many people who take part from all over the world, and it is fantastic to meet them with over 150 people there from umpires to doctors and people from all walks of life so it is a very social event too."

With 6.30am starts each day, and finishes at around 5.30pm, it was certainly a test of endurance, with an average distance of 74 miles cycled each day.

Colin revealed that he was doing the cycle in memory of his own grandfather William who sadly died of a heart attack, and has regularly participated in challenges for heart charities over the years including marathons for Heart, Stroke Scotland.

The father of one admitted that despite the obstacles and challenges throughout the three days he loved every minute of it, and said: "It wouldn't be a challenge would it, if it was not difficult, and I am very passionate about cycling, and it was a wonderful experience all round, and would advise any other keen cyclists to take up the challenge at this year's upcoming event."

A total of £483 went to the British Heart Foundation, while £170 went to the Extra Mile charities.