Saturday, May 9, saw the annual Welsh cycling event 'CARTEN100' complete a landmark 10 years, clock up 1,000 miles and raise over £400,000 for charities in Wales.

With ever-increasing numbers joining the growing ranks of keen amateur cyclists taking on the challenge at the weekend, this year more than 1,500 signed up to ride the 100-mile route from CARdiff to TENby. The main aim is to get more people cycling, increasing fitness and enjoyment of the sport with the added benefit of fundraising.

CARTEN100 is "not a race - more a personal challenge," said main event organiser, Peter Palmer, who together with brother-in-law James Lewis and two friends, originally came up with the idea to cycle from Cardiff to Tenby over a pint in their local pub.

Both have hardly missed a year since and last Saturday James's son Morgan (13) finished his third ride alongside his dad. Peter's sons Lewis and Scott have both completed the ride in previous years and many couples and family members are amongst those who take on the challenge, training hard before the event, which is a real test of grit and determinstion

"It's a great sense of achievement for those who make it to Tenby," said Peter, "but we could never have foreseen all this when we set ourselves that challenge 10 years ago!"

As Saturday dawned to threatening clouds and stormy squalls, the weather could hardly have been less encouraging for this year's CARTEN100 cyclists. Undaunted, they set off from Cardiff City Football Stadium in driving wind and rain, travelling via A roads,B roads and cycle paths, with brief pit-stops in Margam, Burry Port and Tavernspite. They arrived to sunny skies and a warm Pembrokeshire welcome, riding through the finish arch to cheering crowds in Tenby's Tudor Square.

The riders celebrated their achievement with refreshments including CARTEN100 ale in the Finishers Marquee at the harbour, hosted by Tenby and District Lions.

The event was a huge success and the CARTEN100 committee would like to thank all the riders who took part, their sponsors and the many volunteers who made the ride possible, drivers for their patience and Tenby for hosting the perfect end to the day.

In February, CARTEN100 were presented with a special award at the Senedd for their 'Outstanding Fundraising' by Marie Curie Cancer Care after raising £83,000 last year.

This year, CARTEN100 aim to make £100,000 for charities - Velindre Cancer Centre, Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit and HOPE MS Therapy Centre, Pembrokeshire