Tribute to much loved Lancaster district cycling club member
The Lune Racing Cycling Club took on a gruelling 67 miles, 1500 metres high challenge in memory of a long serving club member who died last year.
For 19 years The Lune Racing Cycling Club have organised The Coal Road Reliability Trial.
A reliability trial is the earliest form of a test for riders before the racing season and they date back more than a 100 years.
The route takes in breathtaking views of Ribblehead, Barbondale and Dent, with an ascent up the iconic Coal Road near Garsdale.
It’s a route not for the faint hearted, ascending 1500 metres in 67 miles.
This year, the Coal Road Challenge was in memory of Mal Bisby, a long serving club member for 40 years, who died on December 30, 2025, aged 81.
A spokesman for The Lune Racing Cycling Club said: “Mal was a dedicated Lune cyclist and continued to ride after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“He only stopped riding in the last stages of the disease and was an inspiration to us all.
“The £500 raised from the Coal Road Challenge this year was donated to St John’s Hospice who cared for Mal in the last six months of his life.
"The club members felt that St John’s Hospice was a worthy cause due to their dedication, commitment and relentless care shown to Mal and his family during a difficult and sad time.”
Jorj Haston the community fundraiser from St John’s Hospice said: “We really appreciate the support of Lune Racing Cycling club members and look forward to working alongside them for our 40th anniversary year.”