WHAT are the scores, George Dawes? No, not a throwback to a popular mid-90s TV show, but the progress of a plucky Hereford couple and their bicycle made for two taking part in a challenging 100-mile ride for charity at the weekend.

Grandparents Andy and Nicky Evans, both 54, came up trumps in a ballot to take part in the Prudential Ride on their trusty George Dawes tandem – named after the Shooting Stars panel game regular played by comedian Matt Lucas – and they rode down The Mall in London to the finishing line to loud cheers from relatives in the crowd.

The couple, who both work at Brights’ Bespoke Joinery at Shucknall, had personal reasons for taking part in the event.

Nicky said: “We have a very good friend who is a Marie Curie nurse, and we have lost an uncle and a good friend recently who were both nursed in their homes by Marie Curie nurses.”

They aimed for a £2,000 boost for their chosen charity, but have so far raised over £2,300.

Having covered over a thousand miles on their tandem in preparation for this latest feat, Andy and Nicky have lost over three stones in weight between them and strongly advocate the case for exercising on a bicycle made for two.

They believe age should not stop anyone from ‘having a go’, and what’s more their first grandchild, Martha has arrived recently.

Both born and bred in Hereford, they have been married for over 30 years and at weekends and some evenings after work, they are ready to hop on their tandem.

“We do get on!” laughs Nicky. “You have to be able to trust the person in front on a tandem and I do trust him and feel very safe.”

She claims that riding a tandem is a “brilliant” way to exercise.

“My husband has always enjoyed cycling while I’ve tended to ‘dabble’ a bit,” she says. “When we used to go cycling together, we’d always get separated but the tandem is a brilliant compromise.

“It could be a really great way to promote cycling for women, as well as the cycle paths in Hereford which we use regularly,” says Nicky.

“I probably wouldn’t ride a single bike, as I could never keep up with my husband, but love going out on the tandem as I feel much safer.”

She believes their 17-year-old daughter, Amber has already been inspired.

In May 2019, mother and daughter will be taking part in an all-female 60-mile night-time ride for charity in support of women’s cancers. With them will be Nicky’s sister, 49-year-old Rachel Smith.

To donate to Nicky and Andy’s charity fund go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/buzzandnick or text APNJ54 £5 (or any amount from £1) to 70070.