BOLTON couple Brian and Barbara Thompson tackle their challenges in tandem.

And wherever Brian goes, Barbara closely follows.

The couple, from Lever Edge Lane, have just returned home after completing an epic 900 mile tandem ride between London and Edinburgh on just a few hours sleep.

Barbara, aged 46, was the oldest woman taking part in the ultra-marathon organised by the Audax UK cycling club.

It attracted over 100 riders from around the world, including Australia and South Africa.

The couple were pedalling one of only two tandems in the event. All the rest were solo.

They started using a tandem 10 years ago after Brian, aged 48, suffered head injuries in a road accident.

Pedal power has taken them all over the country and abroad together, including taking part in the famous Paris-Brest long distance cycling event.

Their latest gruelling ride took them from Doncaster, up to Edinburgh, down to London and back up to Doncaster in just five days.

With Brian steering and Barbara navigating as well as "stoking" the rear pedals, the couple were only allowed to snatch up to two hours sleep at a time. Sometimes they got their heads down in youth hostels but on one occasion they catnapped on a town centre bench and on another they lay down in a bus shelter!

And in a cruel twist of fate after nearly 900 miles and with Doncaster in their sights, the couple took a wrong turning, which meant 15 extra miles before they were back on course.

They had just found the right way back again in the early hours of the morning when it started raining.

"I was really fed up," admitted Barbara.

But where many couples would have a "few words" about such a mistake marital harmony still reigns in the Thompson household.

"Spending so much time together you have to get along," said Barbara.

Resting their aching limbs at home they are already planning to hit the road again next month on another long distance challenge.

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