A NOVICE cyclist nearly thought twice when he was faced with storm-force winds as he prepared to cycle 500 miles.Thomas Edwards, 21, of Marlesford, near Woodbridge, chose the day of the October storm to start cycling from Land's End, the most westerly point, to Lowestoft, the most easterly.

A NOVICE cyclist nearly thought twice when he was faced with storm-force winds as he prepared to cycle 500 miles.

Thomas Edwards, 21, of Marlesford, near Woodbridge, chose the day of the October storm to start cycling from Land's End, the most westerly point, to Lowestoft, the most easterly.

Despite the high winds, Mr Edwards said the experience was very beneficial and now he is a keen cyclist.

He added it was noticeable how provision for cyclists in the Ipswich area was more advanced than at other towns on his route.

A car would cover 434 miles to reach Lowestoft on the most direct route but Mr Edwards wanted to take in Bath, Bristol and some of the Sustrans routes thta boosted his total to 500 miles. He raised £1,700 towards the £3,300 required to fund his Raleigh International trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua in February to help with social projects.

Mr Edwards, son of Marlesford rector Harry Edwards and his wife Inger, has been working as a builder's mate to raise funds and build up his fitness.

He hopes that the trip abroad will help him to decide what career to follow after obtaining a Biology degree at Bristol University and he is looking forward to challenging environmental and community projects.

Mr Edwards said: ''Raleigh International is a youth development charity and in its work with people from all walks of life, teaches cooperation and character building. Although the exact nature of the work that I will undertake has not been finalised, past expeditions have built schools (which also act as hurricane shelters) and installed sanitation.''