PARALYMPIAN Jody Cundy was on hand to help cyclists push to the finish line at a family bike ride.

The five-time gold medallist even hopped onto a bike for the ride in Upwell, near Wisbech, as part of his gruelling training schedule.

The event was organised by the Wisbech Round Table and riders left the Upwell Health Centre at various times throughout the morning on Sunday.

Eighteen of the “more serious” riders braved the morning strong winds to cycle 50 miles before later joining their families for the shorter ride which kicked off at noon.

In total, 50 riders took part in the family ride and organiser Sam Smith said the event has been raised more than �1,100, which will be distributed to local causes.

Mr Smith said with the wind having a big impact on keen cyclists, the course was reversed for the families. “It was the least we could do”, he said, “The long three kilometres straight along Ladd’s Drove headed directly into the wind but by reversing the course the back-wind gave a boost to everyone as they approached the finishing line.”

After completing the family bike ride, Mr Cundy handed out certificates before handing over a signed shirt to be given the person who raised most sponsorship.

The Paralympian said he was happy to attend the event and to spend his weekend at home with his parents in Walpole before jetting off to races in Italy and Germany.

Mr Smith said: “His current training is more endurance focused so the ride in Upwell fitted his training schedule. We wish him luck for his quest for gold at the London Paralympics in 2012.”