Thailand-bound lads have a sweaty but trouble-free week

* The lads have been coping with the mountains and heat of Uzbekistan.

It's been a relatively trouble-free but sweat-soaked week for the three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand to raise money for heart research.

After a bout of illness and visa problems the trio have been making their way through the vast mountainous area of Ukbekistan as they head in the general direction of China.

First objective for them is to cross the order into Kyrgyzstan after battling up some awe-inspiring peaks with an elevation of 1,700 metres and in uncomfortable temperatures of around 33 degrees. 

In their daily video diary they admit that's been like riding inside a microwave oven at times, with one tough, sweaty climb following another.

But their spirits are high and buoyed up by the occasional highlight such as being invited to take part in a five-a-side football tournament against local lads, which saw them win some and lose a few, too.

Again, it's been the amazing generosity of the Uzbekistan people that has delighted them, with drivers stopping frequently to top them up with supplies of essential drinking water.

* Latest stop was the town of Asaka in the Anjan region of Uzbekistan. 

Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis Dennis, 19, from Garth, and James Thomas,19, from Wrexham - known as the Westheads - are making their 1,000 journey in aid of the British Heart Foundation in memory of Tony Edge, the father of their friend Harrison who died following a heart attack in 2024.

So far they've raised more than £27,000 of their £50,000 charity target since leaving Llangollen last year.

* llanblogger is recording their adventures along the way. To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish, go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads