Five cyclists set off on Friday to swop the roads of the Ribble Valley and Bowland for a 1,000-mile ride to the South of France.
Cyclists all over Lancashire, Yorkshire and further afield have been pledging sponsor support for the Pedal des Alps team of riders (www.pedaldesalps.com) who include motorbike trials world champion Dougie Lampkin.
They will set off from Derian House Children’s Hospice, Chorley, and hope to arrive 12 days later in Nice.
Team member Paul Dixon and his family were supported by Derian House after his son, Harry, died in 2006, aged just 14.
The other team members are Dougie Lampkin’s cousin James Lampkin, fellow motorcyclist Woody Hole and his manager Jake Miller. Backers include cycle parts maker Hope Technology, Barnoldswick.
They have clocked up more than 14,000 miles between them over the last nine months or so to train for the challenge, and this included some of the fearsome mountain routes used in the Tour de France.
To donate, visit www.just giving.com/pedaldealps or by sending cheques payable to Derian House to Pedal de Alps HQ, 3 The Old Court House, Tenterden Street, Bury, BL9 0AL.