MEMBERS of staff at law firm Porter Dodson head off on a 200km cycle ride from its Wellington office tomorrow (Thursday) in aid of the RNLI.

They will be leaving at 6.30am and cycling around the firm’s eight offices in the Porter Dodson Great British Bike Off with the first stop at Bridport at 10.15am and the last in Taunton at 8.30pm.

Training for the group of ten cyclists began with a ride of 20 miles and a climb of 2,000 feet to test fitness levels.

Team members live in Somerset, Devon and Dorset, so planning training rides has been difficult, but they have had one ride including all but one member to practise riding as a peleton.

Earlier this month Robyn Greenway, Laura Roper, Anusheh Burcher and Scott Bowley joined Stephen Wray in the Porter Dodson 100-mile club, climbing a gruelling 2,461 feet.

Dave Hooper of Synergy Sport and Remedial Massage Therapy has helped the team prepare for the ride, hosting a maintenance evening and showing members how to protect themselves from injuries.

Scott Bowley, head of the firm’s Bridport office, said: “I’ve only recently caught the cycling bug, having bought my bike in April after some encouragement from colleagues, so this has been an extraordinary challenge for me. After our 100-mile training ride, we think we are all now prepared for the big bike ride.”

Steve Law, philanthropy manager at the RNLI, who works closely with Porter Dodson, said: “We at the RNLI can only continue to save lives with the generous support of the public.

“My thanks and best wishes to those undertaking the cycle to support our crews and to all those sponsoring them.

“Behind every life saved on our coasts are those giving their time, energy, and money to enable the RNLI to continue and the team at Porter Dodson are a vital part of this.”