CYCLING 280 miles for charity deserves applause – but Martin Hinchliffe has decided to make it even tougher by doing it within 24 hours on a single-speed bike.

The 46-year-old from York is taking on the London2Paris24 challenge in aid of Scope.

He is setting off at noon on Saturday, July 6, with the aim of cycling throughout the day and night to arrive at the Eiffel Tower by 1pm the next day.

Martin hopes his six months of training, averaging 250 miles cycling a week coupled with regular yoga sessions to maintain flexibility, will pay off.

But there is no guarantee the conditions will be in his favour, and Martin said his biggest concern – apart from being saddle sore – was the potential for a headwind.

“I am doing it on a single-speed bike,” said Martin, who is married to Sarah and has three children.

“I am not going to suggest it is the hardest thing in the world, but most people will be doing it on regular bikes with all the gears.

“I have never done a sponsored event, or cycled this far before – not in one go. I am feeling good. I have been training really hard. I started in January and have been cycling on average 250 miles a week.

“I am an early bird anyway and go out when no one’s about and the roads are quiet, so I get a couple of hours in before work.

“I am concerned about a headwind. It would be in your face, against you, making it doubly hard work.

“If you are going from Calais to Paris with a headwind the chance of that changing is unlikely.”

Martin will be accompanied by a support team who will be on hand with supplies, medical support and a mechanic to fix any bike problems.

Martin has so far raised about £1,000 thanks to donations, bun sales, collections, £400 from the sale of raffle tickets for a prize gourmet meal and £200 from York Yoga Studio in Acomb, where he trains, which also sponsored his shirt.

He said: “I just wanted to do something for other people, and Scope is a really good cause.”

The challenge has been organised by Action Challenge, on behalf of Scope.

To sponsor Martin visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MartinHinchliffe