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"To do what they've done is absolutely fantastic. Everybody with any interest in racing should make a donation, because what they've achieved is unbelievable."

Those were the words of Alison Dare who, having ridden the final 208 miles with Lorna Brooke and Jane Williams on their epic journey from John O'Groats to Land's End, could not praise the pair highly enough.

Journey's end was reached just before 3pm on Tuesday, their schedule of cycling 100 miles a day having been achieved despite some interruptions along the way, particularly in the closing stages of their trip when the gradients were at their steepest.

Alison, who joined the duo at Bristol and guided them round the city, admitted that it was the toughest thing she'd ever done. "I thought I'd done pretty well for an old girl," she laughed, "but if it hadn't been for charity I'd probably have jacked it in at Taunton! For the two of them, who aren't regular cyclists, to have averaged over 100 miles a day for nine days is phenomenal."

Lorna, who starts work for rookie trainer Tom Symonds at the end of the month, and Jane, who is based at her parents' yard at Enville and is busy bringing on some youngsters prior to the Pointers coming in, have certainly silenced the doubters who thought the distance would get the better of them. "People don't know us very well," said Lorna. "Once we'd made up our minds to go ahead there was never a chance that we would give up, and we knew we'd do it. It got easier after about day three," she continued, "because by then our bodies had got used to it."

Their venture had not got off to the best of beginnings at John O'Groats, where they arrived ready for a 7am start last Monday only to find that the key to the padlock securing their bikes to the vehicle taking them to their starting point had been left behind! Fortunately a trawler had just docked, and one of the fishermen produced an angle grinder, with which he proceeded to cut through the chain.

Apart from being a couple of hours later than intended setting off, the first day was probably the worst weather-wise. "The rain and wind was dreadful, and we were lucky to stay on our bikes," Jane said, "but we only had one other wet day."

The pair were joined en route by several friends and supporters who cycled a few miles with them, including Point-to-Point enthusiast Richard Brown, who helped them through Carlisle, while only one person, who had proved to be somewhat patronising about their efforts, had been more of a hindrance than a help.

Jane had nothing but praise for their support team, i.e. her mother Diana! "We couldn't have done it without her," she admitted. "She was brilliant, and she worked so hard - she did anything that needed doing."

The women both agreed that they were now the fittest they had ever been, although Lorna is bemoaning the fact that she has put on so much muscular weight - "My thighs are enormous!" is her main complaint.

And will they carry on biking? "Yes!" is the definite answer from both of them, with Lorna, who never even owned a bike as a child, adding "I love it! I hate running with a vengeance, so keeping fit by cycling will be perfect!" And to prove their point, they are already talking about their next venture on two wheels, with a cycling holiday around France having been mooted as a possibility.

The duo are modest about their achievement. "We've had a good time Point-to-Pointing, so we thought it would be nice to put something back," explained Jane. The "something back" has far exceeded their expectations. Their original target of raising £5,000 for the Injured Jockeys' Fund was passed long ago, and the total now stands at £13,000 and counting. Anyone wishing to donate can go to the website address www.justgiving.com/ladyamateurjockeys-johnogroats-to-landsend.

There is further encouraging news regarding the progress of Isabel Tompsett, whose horrendous fall at Fakenham prompted Lorna and Jane to embark on their fund-raising mission. Sally Randell, who visited her on Sunday, reported her to be in really good spirits, and getting her strength back now that she is eating well again.

"The doctors cannot believe the progress she has made in the last two weeks," said Sally. "She is so happy to see people that she can't stop talking, although when she gets tired she sometimes doesn't make sense, which is only to be expected."

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