Boris Bike challenge scuppered because the M1 was shut

A group of cyclists who attempted to ride Boris bikes around the first stage of the Tour de France and back to London in 24 hours failed - because the M1 motorway was shut.

Andy Sloan, Dave Barker and Dave Parkes hired the bikes at midnight on Friday and planned to return them before the 24-hour rental period expired. They then drove to the Yorkshire dales where they completed the brutal 204km opening stage of the famous race.

After 16 hours in the saddle they were driving back to London and were on target to complete the challenge before roadworks on the M1 brought them to a standstill. The team were then unable to return the bikes in the allocated time slot - which meant they had to pay a £150 fine.

Despite their disappointment at the setback the team have so far raised more than £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.