A CYCLIST who set out to cover 150 miles on a homemade bike found the challenge tougher than he thought.

Don King, 64, of Cam, set out from London with the aim of reaching Sharpness in two-and-a-half days. He hit his target but not without several setbacks along the way, including his homemade Recumbent style seated bike breaking in half.

Don thought he noticed his handlebars seemed lower as he was zooming out of London, but thought he was going mad.

"Then it happened, scraping along the ground the weld of the frame had broken and the frame had cracked in half," said Don, who embarked on the ride to raise money for the Severn Area Rescue Association in Sharpness.

After trying three garages he found one that could repair the bike and waited while they welded the frame back together.

"Eventually after losing around five hours, I was on my way again. Bound for Didcot, I arrived at 8pm and immediately found that I did not have my tent poles," said Don.

With just a couple of bananas for dinner he wrapped up as best he could, getting little sleep but was up again the next day to start riding at 9am.

He made it to Nailsworth on day two, stopping overnight again and reached Sharpness docks, exhausted, the following day.

He was met by a hero's welcome from the SARA members, friends and family.

Geoff Dawes, chairman of Sharpness Lifeboat Station, which is fundraising for a replacement lifeboat costing around £70,000, said: "It was an amazing ride, full of trials and tribulations, we are all very proud of what he did and thankful for the fundraising."

Don was hoping to raise £200 but has already collected nearly £300. You can still donate at www.justgiving.com/don-king