Three former school chums saddled up for an epic bike ride on home turf, and are hoping more will join them for a second outing in the summer.

Super-keen cyclist Keith Houghton met up with Tim Howlett and Neil Dyball for the Tour de Broads starting at Great Yarmouth seafront on Sunday

The trio are all friends from Oriel High School in Gorleston, now Ormiston Venture Academy.

MORE: 6000 miles, 33 rides, one year - Norwich City fan’s cycling challenge for prostate cancer sufferers like him and his dadMr Houghton said: “The weather was a bit chilly but we had bright sunshine.

“Tim and myself were doing the full 100 miles and Neil was doing 50, due to him recovering from an ankle injury. The first 50 mile loop goes round the southern part of The Broads, out from Great Yarmouth and over to Beccles and back. On this loop we passed the house where another school friend lives and she put out a banner for us.

“It was great riding round the corner together and seeing it.

“After the first 50 miles we stopped for lunch and then said bye to Neil before heading back out on the north loop and another 50 miles.

“The route had some great back roads going round the villages and Broads.

“One of the great things about going out on a bike is going places you wouldn’t normally go in a car plus going at a pace were you can see what’s around you.

“Norfolk really does have some stunning hidden areas. The route back to Yarmouth was into a head wind which was hard work in places. “But all too soon it was all over.”

MORE: More than 1,500 take to the roads for Tour de BroadsMr Hougton has now completed nine rides totalling around 800 miles this year but has a busy May during which he should clock up another 800 miles including undertaking the Fred Whitton in Cumbria.

He is raising awareness of prostate cancer after he was diagnosed with the disease, and his father before him.

Mr Howlett’s father died from the same condition a few years ago.

Mr Houghton added: “One of the real positives of doing the rides is hearing from friends who have had their PSA checked after following what I am doing. It’s great to raise money but even better if we could help save lives.”

The trio are also planning to complete the Tour de Broads Summer in August and are keen to get more former school pals out for that one, either riding or waving banners.

For more information about Keith’s cycling challenge click this link.