Cyclists tackle ten-day track for cancer charity funds

8:00am Thursday 15th May 2008

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A pair of adventurous Barnet residents have decided to take a wheelie wayward route across Europe for charity.

Tim Howse, 48, and Andrew Thomas, 53 are setting off tomorrow with two friends from East Grinstead to cycle 700 miles between London and Barcelona. The group hopes to raise £20,000 for cancer charities during the ten-day trip.

Their friend Grahame Russell came up with the idea for the trip after fellow cyclist Clive Powell's brother died from cancer last Christmas.

He said: "I admit it, it probably was me who first mooted this crazy idea.

"I am very proud to be doing this for Macmillan, and for Woking Hospice, which is particularly special for Clive, whose brother was cared for there in the last few weeks of his life."

Mr Thomas, of Fitzjohn Avenue, High Barnet, added: "When we have completed this epic trip, it will be a personal achievement for all of us to be proud of, and it will also raise funds for two extremely worthy causes."

The group plans to cycle from London to Portsmouth, catch the ferry to Saint Malo in France, and then cycle 70 miles a day down to Spain.

Mr Howse, of Hadley Road, Barnet, added: "It will be difficult, but we are determined to do it for the charities. We just have to make sure we stay off the demon drink, though this won't be easy in the French region."

Visit madcyclists.ro21.com to donate to their cause.