Military man to complete 780-km charity bike ride

A military aircraft navigator is going to cycle across some of Europe's highest mountains for charity.

The 780-km Haute Route bike ride by Flight Lieutenant Jonathan Berry was started yesterday (August 19th), the Northern Echo reports.

Flight Lieutenant Berry is hoping to raise £5,000 for Help for Heroes by taking on the challenge.

"I have been putting in a lot of very hard work for this. It's going to be very demanding, but I am confident that I will complete the course," he added.

The 38-year-old set off from Lake Geneva and is looking to make his way to Nice.

It is known as the toughest amateur cycling route in the world and at one stage Mr Berry will have to take on an 18-km climb that rises almost vertically over 1,000 m.

Before setting off, the military man said he realised it was going to be the toughest challenge he has ever undertaken.

Posted by Trevor Smith