CYCLISTS pedalled from Wantage to Winchester to celebrate a Saxon legend.

More than 100 cyclists set out on the 52-mile ride from King Alfred the Great’s birthplace of Wantage last Sunday.

They passed the Blowing Stone, where King Alfred summoned his troops to fend off the Vikings, before entering Winchester, where riders passed the remains of Hyde Abbey, where the monarch was reburied in 1110.

Outgoing Wantage mayor Patrick O’Leary was disappointed not to be among the 129 riders, having hurt his knee cycling two weeks ago.

He said: “It’s all about community and what I did find amazing is King Alfred is the only one classed ‘Great’ and after all these years, we are still doing something to commemorate him.”

The event was part of Hyde900, which celebrates the history of Hyde Abbey.

Cyclist Len Double, 57, who cycled to Wantage from his home near Winchester before embarking on the return route, said: “Wantage is a fantastic place. I will definitely go again. We thought the whole route was really well thought out.”