PUB landlord Dave Richards is hitting the road on his bike again this summer for his third charity cycling challenge.

Mr Richards, who runs the popular Bull pub and music venue, in Crouch Street, Colchester, is planning an 880-mile ride home from Bilbao, Spain this July.

He’ll be joined by 11 lycra clad pals for a week-long ride, starting on July 18.

In the past, Mr Richards has organised charity rides from Paris to Colchester and through Holland and Belgium, raising thousands of pounds for good causes.

The latest challenge is in aid of the Colchester Hospitals Charity and will be by far his longest-ever ride.

Accordingly, the 48-yearold licensee is hoping hopes to smash his previous fundraising records.

He said: “The first ride was 300-odd miles and the last one 600.

“We wanted to do something monumental and when we looked at routes, we found we could get a ferry to Bilbao and ride back.

“In total, we’ll climb about 35,000 ft as we cross the Pryenees.

“Because of the distance, we started training back in November.

“During the winter, we started running spinning classes at the Bull.

“The whole team came down and it went so well.

“We had 16 bikes in the Soundhouse – our venue behind the pub – with the instructor on the stage.

“We’re now hitting the roads and last week, we had our first proper team ride.”

Each weekend the team, all from the Colchester area and aged between 30 and 52, will meet for further training rides.

They were recruited after a call went out for riders via posters in the town centre pub and on its Facebook page.

Some are seasoned cyclists, both a few are complete beginners.

Four have ridden with Mr Richards on previous charity trips, in aid of St Helena Hospice and the hospital charity.

Mr Richards said this time they hoped to raise at least £25,000.

He added: “We have set ourselves a high target because of the distance, but if we achieve £20,000 it will mean over the three rides, we will have raised £50,000.

“I’m excited, but nervous at the prospect of cycling so far through Europe.

“To go across the Pyrenees is going to be amazing and to dissect France from the south-west corner to the north-east is going to be hard, but will be a great thing to do.”

Firms supporting the riders include NTK Security, Divas Hair Salon, Colchester Brewery and Haart.

To sponsor the team, visit j u s t g i v i n g . c o m / D a v e -Richards66