A 500-MILE round trip paid double dividends for mountain biker Sarah Bedford.

The Dorchester-based cyclist returned triumphant after pedalling to victory in the Diva Decent Enduro at Hamsterley Forest, near Darlington.

Bedford saw off the challenge from 15 of Britain’s top women riders to lift the crown in County Durham.

The Team Swarf Cycles rider explained: “It was a long way to go but winning the competition made it all worthwhile.

“This was the first ever all-women’s enduro ever held in Britain so that made it even more special.

“Enduros are all-terrain races where you are timed over a series of descents.

“In the morning we were coached through the course by World Cup stars Tracy Moseley and Helen Gaskell before racing in the afternoon.

“I put in a lot of training in places like Portland and Puddletown Forest leading up to this event and so I’m pleased it all paid off.

“It was tough going, particularly as there had been a lot of snow up there, but worth all the hard work.”

And Bedford’s success sparked double celebrations back in the county town with husband Ady having built and designed her winning bike.

She added: “Ady set up Swarf Cycles a couple of years ago and designed and built the bike I rode in our shed at home in Dorchester.

“It has some unique design elements which definitely contributed to my victory. The geometry is very special and makes for a really efficient ride. Where other bikes tend to slow over tough terrain, this one holds its speed and is a joy to ride.”

Bedford, a chiropractor at the Hansson Chiro-practic Centre in Weymouth, is now preparing her Team Swarf Cycles machine for a tilt at the UK Gravity Series, which begins in the spring.

To follow Bedford’s progress like the Swarf Cycles page at facebook.com/swarfcycles