It was a case of sheer pedal power for thousands of riders including Merton Council staff who raised a decent wedge for charity by cycling 100 miles in the RideLondon on Sunday.

The Mayor of Merton, Councillor Brenda Fraser, with the Mayor’s rider Guy Bishop.

Sadly the route claimed the life of cancer survivor Robin Chard, 48, from Bicester, and a crash or two put paid to some people’s races, with diversions in place meaning some later riders had no choice but to miss out mega hills Box Hill and Leith Hill.

The impressive 100 mile route went from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford to Buckingham Palace via the Surrey hills and through Merton, Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea.

Merton Council’s very own riders raised hundreds of pounds for a range of charities by taking to two wheels.

Bronwen Pickering, right, and Gavin Compton.

The Mayor of Merton’s rider, senior lawyer Guy Bishop raised about £650 for the Mayor’s charities Age UK Merton and the Avanti Club (a mental health support group). He made it round in eight hours and 39 minutes.

Council web information manager Gavin Compton raised £655 for Tommy’s, and completed the course in seven hours 12 minutes. Sponsor him here.

Senior communications officer Bronwen Pickering rode the course in seven hours and one minute having been held up for more than an hour and a half with Gavin after a number of accidents blocked the road.

Kris Witherington.

Chris Lee, director of environment and regeneration, completed RideLondon in seven hours and 19 minutes.

Consultation and community engagement manager Kris Witherington raised £270 for St Raphael’s Hospice in memory of his mother Vicki Witherington. He took on the 46 mile route in a little over three hours. Donate to St Raphael’s Hospice here.