THE pressure is mounting for a team from Ludlow cycling from coast to coast in the USA.

Kyle Williams who is riding the bike supported by a team of three as they make a 4,000 mile journey in just 40 days is starting to suffer with a hamstring and knee that are becoming increasingly painful.

The team is now well over half way in a journey that has taken them from San Francisco in California and through the mid-west states of Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri.

As they get further east the team is facing a new challenge as the traffic they encounter gets heavier.

“Now we are further east everything is becoming more populated,” said Kyle.

“It’s amazing the see how different every state is. It’s a stark contrast to the emptiness of the west coast but in empty spaces you find stunning scenery.

“My hamstring on my right leg is starting to become painful along with my left know. George has adjusted my seat again to try to counteract the problem.”

The team of four with Kyle Williams in the saddle is riding from one side of the United States and the end is in sight with just over a week to go.

They have so far raised more than £14,000 for ‘Joel’s Wish’ the charity in memory of Joel Lawrence a 19-year-old from Ludlow who died of stomach cancer.

This is no leisure cycle as they have given themselves 40 days to cover the 4,000 miles from San Francisco to New York.

Joel Lawrence was a talented young chef who had his life tragically cut short but left a legacy in the form of ‘Joel’s Wish,’ a charity that support the Severn Hospice that looked after him at the end of his life.

The charity also provides practical help to young people suffering from cancer and their families.

The riding is being done by Kyle Williams, a 24-year-old graphic designer as part of a team that includes fire fighters Richard Clarke, aged 25 and George Jacks, 24, who is the back-up rider if illness or injury befalls Kyle.

The fourth member of the team, also from Ludlow, is Mike Baker, aged 25, who is a cabinet maker and the fifth’s who is travelling with the group as a mascot is Joel’s teddy bear.

Money raised will be split with 20 per cent going to the Severn Hospice and the rest being used in different ways to help young people with life limiting illnesses.

This will include providing help with travel costs to hospital and also providing equipment that they might need such as computers.

So far Joel’s Wish has raised more than £50,000 in five years.

Ludlow Rotarians are providing £2,500 towards the ride but the help goes beyond this.

The Rotary Club has also contacted all the Rotary Clubs on the route of the ride and Rotarians in the USA have been helping with accommodation for the team from Ludlow.

More information is available by visiting www.joelswish.org