A GROUP of bikers dressed as Evel Knievel visited Gwent yesterday as part of their ride around the perimeter of Wales to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

RIDE Cymru, a group of 50 bikers, are taking on the five-day 1,070-mile journey, all dressed as the iconic daredevil stunt-performer.

The group left Wrexham at 9am on Thursday, May 2, and return there – where they will attempt the Guinness World Record with family, friends and supporters – on Monday, May 6, at 5pm.

The bikers rode through Monmouth, Tintern Abbey, Chepstow and Goldcliff before stopping off at the Newport Transporter Bridge.

During this exciting challenge, supported by Evel Knievel’s children, Alecia Knievel Vincent and Robbie Knievel, the riders are covering more than 200 miles each day and riding for up to 10 hours.

The challenge, which is in its eighth year, is in support of MacMillan Cancer Support. Riders have previously raised more than £76,000 for the charity and are on course to raise more than £20,000 in this year’s event.

Richard Pugh, head of service (Wales) for Macmillan, said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to RIDE Cymru for their continued fundraising for Macmillan.

“RIDE Cymru have such a fun time raising money for Macmillan and the support they get from the public, celebrities and legends from the biking world is testament to their enthusiasm and commitment.

“Macmillan relies on public donations for more than 99 per cent of our income and every single penny donated to these amazing fundraisers will make a genuine difference.”

Evel Knievel currently holds the Guinness World Record for most broken bones in a lifetime – totalling at 433 – but, at present, there’s no record for largest gathering of people dressed as Evel Knievel.

Ride Cymru will be hoping to change that on Monday.

A range of celebrities are supporting the event, and some will even be joining the riders along parts of their journey.

These include ITV weather presenter Ruth Wignall, Stereophonics bass player Richard Jones and actor and Strictly Come Dancing star Danny John Jules.