AN ambitious cycling duo from Newport were dealt a blow last week - after one of them was seriously hurt in a freak accident.

Ryan Farley, 25, and Rob Shipley 24, had been making their way around the globe since July in the hope of raising £18,000 for cancer research - but Mr Farley came off his bike in L.A fracturing both his wrists.

Unable to continue, it means Mr Shipley will be forced to attempt to complete the epic 18,000 mile effort alone.

Their latest blog posts describes how disaster struck for Mr Farley, from Monnow Way.

“It was on our first day off, whilst riding to the shops,” Mr Shipley wrote. “Ryan came off his bike in what was the most freakish accident I have ever seen, it was over in seconds and so was the rest of the ride for him.

“We went to the doctor’s who confirmed the worst, he had fractured both his wrists and wouldn’t be able to ride for eight to 12 weeks.

“So seeing as he couldn’t ride no further he took the sensible option and flew home to get his wrists seen to for free on the NHS, rather than pay the $1,000+ in the States.

“So now that leaves me, to continue what was originally planned, to cycle the remaining 13,000 miles of the 18,000 around the world, with the goal of raising £18,000 for Cancer Research UK.”

Until that point the pair had been having the time of their lives, having extended their trip through America which saw them follow the east coast all the way down to the most southern point at Key West, Florida.

“We then cycled back up the Florida Keys into Orlando where we took a coach from Orlando to Flagstaff, Arizona, just south of the Grand Canyon,” Mr Farley had previously said.

They wrote how they found the cycling in America more enjoyable than Europe due to the straighter roads and said they were even approached by an American news company who did a piece on their journey.

“We have also met some amazing people and usually out of bad situations,” the pair added.

Both cyclists have thanked the public for their support on the journey.

To follow Mr Shipley as he continues his cycle visit: c4cruk.wordpress.com

To see their appearance in US media visit: wric.com