Tyres burned rubber and saddles shook as 25,000 cyclists thundered through the capital and Surrey at the weekend for the annual RideLondon challenge.

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Cyclists whizz round the corner by Elys in Wimbledon 

Roads normally used to the roar of passing cars instead rang to the noise of bells, pedals and the cheers of the crowd as event organised to celebrate the legacy of the 2012 Olympics marked its third anniversary.

Heart attack death as cyclists tackled Ride London 2015

The 100 mile route began in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London, before winding its way on traffic-free roads through Hammersmith, Chiswick, Richmond Park, Kingston-upon-Thames and leaving the city via Hampton Court.

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On the Surrey side of the border the riders had plenty of stunning scenery to enjoy as they powered past Newlands Corner, Abinger Hammer and Holmbury St Mary before tackling the biggest ascents on the route at Leith Hill and Box Hill in Dorking.

Spurred on through Leatherhead, Oxshott and Esher the challengers sped back into London via Kingston and across Putney Bridge, before the big push to the finish along the Embankment, through Admiralty Arch and skidding to a halt at The Mall.

The spirit of camaraderie never wavered, even when the riders were told of the tragic death of 55-year-old Stephen Green from Reading who collapsed while on the lower ascent of Leith Hill.

This newspaper's sports editor Tim Ashton, pictured below, completed the course in six hours and 22 minutes, raising almost £400 for Children with Cancer.

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Many local people signed up to tackle the event for a variety of personal reasons. Here are a few of their inspiring stories:

The Reverend Kevin Scott, from St John the Baptist Church, in Old Malden, Worcester Park, was praising the Lord after riding on a wing and a prayer to complete the course in six hours and 36 minutes.

The 62-year-old vicar, pictured below, raised £1,100 for Christian Aid.

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Michael Davis, of Southfields, clocked in with a time of five hours, 22 minutes and to date has raised £1,500 for Parkinson’s UK.

His father-in-law Bill McCall, 70, was diagnosed with the disease four years ago.

His six-year-old son Toby gave him a much-needed boost with his handmade sign in Wimbledon's Parkside. They are pictured below.

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Merton Council brokerage manager Julie McCauley and Wimbledon police Sergeant husband Peter jointly raised £1,000 for Stroke Association in memory of Peter’s mother Eileen who died aged 76 earlier this year.

Julie said: "The tragic death on Leith Hill caused an hour and a half delay so our final time was eight hours, 25 minutes.

"We were determined to get up there though as we took part last year when Leith and Box Hill had to be missed out due to the horrendous weather from Hurricane Bertha."

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Balham ward police sergeant and father-of-two Nathan Shickle, above, took part on behalf of Tommy's the baby charity, raising £747.50 and clocking five hours 17 minutes.

Ian Wetherall, from Chessington, rode for Sarcoma UK on behalf of his beloved friend Vicky Molteni who was diagnosed with a retroperitoneal liposarcoma in June 2013 which required surgery to remove a melon-sized tumour in her abdomen.

Unfortunately it grew back all too quickly, and by November 2013 she was given less than twelve months to live.

Mr Wetherall said: “Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer which develops in the muscle, bone, nerves, cartilage, tendons, blood vessels and the fatty and fibrous tissues.

“In May this year my friend Sam Bidwell and I started the #fightingforvicky campaign to raise awareness. In June Vicky was taken to The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice in Farnham she was adamant still that she'd see me cycle over that finish line.

“Sadly on July 27, a week before RideLondon Vicky passed away peacefully in her sleep. The fight continues in her name – her spirit definitely helped push me round the last 15 miles of the course.”

Mr Wetherall finished in six hours 12minutes and raised £4,377 with gift aid included.

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Nicola and Piers Thompson, of Cromwell Road in Wimbledon, were one of just 17 couples to complete the challenge on a tandem.

The husband-and-wife team, who have both completed the ride solo in previous years, were raising money for two children who live in Surbiton and have been diagnosed with a rare form of muscular dystrophy.

Mrs Thompson said: “With shouts of ‘Go tandem!’ ringing in our ears as we powered our way round the picturesque circuit of central London and the Surrey Hills on a bicycle made for two, this year’s traffic-free RideLondon-Surrey 100 was another splendid day out.”

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Shaun Young, above, cleared the ride in six hours 11 minutes, 19 mins. He was sponsored by The Personal Agent estate agency and donned blue hair of Diabetes UK which he rode on behalf of.

His next challenge is on September 6 for the London to Brighton bike ride, again for Diabetes UK.

Readers Leanne Watt from Kingston, Cashel Riordan and Ed Helm from Berrylands sent this newspaper pictures from the event.

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Tony Richards crossed the finish line in an impressive six hours and 24 minutes, raising more than £1,600 for the Mayor of Merton’s charities.

Mayor of Merton, Councillor David Chung said: “This is fantastic news.

"It was great meeting up with Tony on the day, when he stopped for a well-deserved refreshment break in Wimbledon after conquering Leith Hill and box Hill.

"Well done to him and to all the other riders. I know a lot of money was raised for many good causes. And it’s wonderful that my chosen charities are set to benefit too.

"Thank you to everyone who sponsored Tony.”

Not everyone was in favour of the event.

John Karter, of Hampton Wick, was angry at the lack of consultation ahead of the weekend and said it caused him to have to cancel an important trip, while a friend was forced to miss a wedding reception.

He said: "I know it’s only once a year and I don’t begrudge charities benefiting, but I do think in future years the organisers should consult people living along the route as it does cause huge disruption for miles around."