A Hart man is embarking on a marathon bike ride across two countries in a bid to raise money for charity.
Tony Marshall, from South Warnborough, will cycle more than 1000km in 10 days to raise cash for cancer research.
The 49-year-old managing director of Two Guys Kitchens in Daneshill will brave temperatures of 35C as he cycles through France and Spain to Mallorca.
After catching a boat from Portsmouth, he and seven pals will leave Saint-Malo in north-west France on July 16.
The team plan to cover 124km per day, with three, calorie-busting 160km stints penciled in.
The super fit squad has eight days to cross France. They will then head to Girona on Spain’s north-east coast to catch a boat to the Mediterranean island of Mallorca.
Each member will ride unaided, carrying everything they need for the trip on their backs.
“The whole idea came about on a beach last year over a few beers,” said Tony. “Looking at it now it is going to be tough with the distance we have to cover. I am starting to think that it’s going to be quite a challenge.
“I can’t wait to get started. I know that I am quite fit enough to do it.”
The father-of-two said he has been training three to four times a week, jostling 80km training rides on top of his day job. He said: “I have always been quite fit, but not like I am now. My wife and two sons are very supportive, but a lot of my friends were quite surprised that I am doing it.”
The group hopes to raise £8,000 for cancer research, with Tony aiming to donate up to £2,000 to the charity. He said: “I have lost quite a few friends over the past few years to cancer so I felt that this was the charity for me to support.”
To make a donation, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/tonygmarshall
