A WEST FIFE cyclist will jump into the saddle this weekend and take on an epic nationwide challenge for charity.

Paul Davies set off for Land's End on Thursday to prepare for the start of a 970-mile cycle to John O'Groats, which will take place over nine days from Saturday, in aid of Cancer Research UK.

In March, we reported that Paul, who lives in Dalgety Bay, had decided to pedal the length and breadth of the UK in memory of friends and family that had been impacted by the disease, including his father, who he lost in 2017.

The challenge, which Paul, 54, said he had thought of doing for around a decade, will be taken on as part of the 'Ride Across Britain' event, a fully-supported ride that will see those participating completed more than 100 miles per day.

So far, Paul, a member of Dunfermline Cycling Club, has raised more than £3,000 on his fundraising page.

Speaking to the Press before he began the journey south, he said that much of that was down to the help of late Dunfermline mountain bike star, Rab Wardell, who presented his film charting his record-breaking ride on the West Highland Way, which he completed in 2020, as part of a fundraising event in April.

"I'm really pleased. It's definitely more than I expected," Paul, who attended Rab's funeral, which was held at Dunfermline Crematorium yesterday (Wednesday), said of the total raised so far.

"A big chunk of that is thanks to Rab. The event he helped with made a massive difference to the total, and raised awareness. This week will be bitter-sweet.

"I can imagine the sort of messages he'd send to keep encouraging.

"I'm really looking forward to getting going. My preparation has gone well; I've been getting the miles in, and I'll be ready for it."

Despite contracting COVID-19 in May, which he said "put me back a few weeks", Paul said that, while there were plenty of nerves, he is excited and feeling confident that he can complete the ride.

Days seven and eight, which will take the riders from Hopetoun House, near South Queensferry, to Kyle of Sutherland, have been pinpointed as particularly challenging days, but day three promises to be a highlight for Paul, who is originally from Newport, South Wales.

That part of the ride, from Bath to the Shropshire town of Ludlow, will take him over the Severn Bridge, and he continued: "I've never cycled over the Severn Bridge.

"That is going to be a highlight; I remember as a kid being driven over it, so I'm looking forward to day three. It's going to be very odd camping at Hopetoun House a few miles away from home!

"I'm really looking forward to it. I can be no more prepared."

Paul said that some of the riders taking part had completed the challenge before and, when asked for any advice they had offered, he added: "Don't start off too quick; spend time to enjoy your surroundings, because it will be a unique experience."

To donate to Paul's fundraising, visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/lejog-2022-paul-davies.