Pitfalls, potholes and pedal power on 1,000-mile challenge

Ex-Streetpride boss Tom Knight, who cycled 100 miles for charity two years ago, is out to go nine times better by completing an end-to-end challenge with his fellow Rotherham Wheelers members.

Tom, who embarked on his 1,000 mile ride alongside retired police officer David Buxton on Tuesday morning, will be followed on the route by a second squad made up of Steve Wraith, Mahmood Hussain, Richard Bellamy and Mick Weaver, who set off on July 17.

“We’re the advance party, going out to find all the pitfalls and potholes,” joked Tom (68).

“I did 100 miles for Marie Curie in 2014 but this is a bit beyond that.

“We have an average age of 61 so it’s going to be a gruelling challenge but I think we’re up to it.”

Tom and his fellow cyclists will be riding up to 85 miles a day for a fortnight and making their nightly base at B&Bs and youth hostels.

They are targetting £5,000 in fund-raising for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and have passed £3,000 already.

You can make a donation to their total, search for Rotherham Wheelers Cycling Club at justgiving.com.