A NANTWICH sales director will join around 700 riders in a triumphant charity challenge through Paris the day before the Tour de France ends on the Champs-Élysées.

Nigel Bacon, sales director at Ruthin-based Clifford Jones Timber is, training for the London to Paris event, which takes place between July 22 and July 26.

Nigel, from Nantwich, was persuaded to take on the challenge by Clifford Jones Timber managing director Keith Corbett, who took part last year.

Nigel said: “You have to put the training miles in as it’s a very tough challenge.

“It’s more than 300 miles spread over four days and the toughest part is probably the first stage which is 92 miles across the South Downs. It really is an up and down road and takes it out of you.

“The first stage starts at 7am in London and you have to be at the ferry for 5pm or you’ve really have missed the boat. Then it’s across the Channel and a three day ride into Paris.”

The cyclists have the option of three routes, the Cool, Classic or Champion.

Nigel explained: “We are doing the Classic which goes along quiet French country lanes and includes several war cemeteries.

“Then all three routes converge in Paris and you have 700 riders going under the Eiffel Tower. It’s amazing and there are crowds of people clapping and cheering.”

As well as Nigel and Keith, Richard Jones, the son of Chairman Alan Jones and grandson of founder Clifford Jones, and Richard’s son, Joshua, are getting out their bikes for the gruelling trip.

The group will arrive in Paris the day before the Tour de France ends.

All of the funds raised by the group will go towards children’s charity, Action Medical Research.

Nigel added: “Medical research into childhood illnesses and diseases is really badly funded in the UK so the charity is helping to fund research to find new cures and treatments to help protect children.

“Action Medical Research has been funding medical breakthroughs since the charity began in 1952 and was responsible for the first polio vaccines, ultrasound in pregnancy and the rubella vaccine.

“Those three things alone have helped save thousands of young lives.”