It's 1,000 miles in nine days for Spalding cyclists

The veteran in the mix, Kevin Gray (51), says they can’t take a day off for rain because their bed and breakfast accommodation is already booked for overnight stops along the route.

Kevin, who runs Gray’s Body Shop, in Cresswell Close, Pinchbeck, will be joined by riders including Jason Booth (40) and Mark Orton (41), two men who found inspiration close to home when they chose good causes to benefit.

Jason, who lives in Spalding and works for Intercounty Truck and Van in Yaxley, says his wife Michelle has fought off breast cancer and he wants funds to go to Peterborough City Hospital Breast Care Unit.

Mark is business development for Produce Packaging, which is opening a new depot in Spalding, and has plumped for the mental health charity, Mind, because his wife, Rachel, suffered post natal depression after their son was born seven years ago.

At the weekend, some of the spinners did two 100-mile practice runs in Lincolnshire but the big one, which starts on September 9, is going to put them at full stretch.

Mark told us: “It’s the biggest challenge I have ever done on two wheels. “

Spalding barber Josh Wallis can’t make the entire journey but he will join his pals from September 11-16.

Two other riders joining in are Mark Tierney and Adrian Pharaoh and they will be pedalling to help Alzheimer’s disease sufferers.

One big boost for the riders has come from Jason’s firm, which is supplying a Mercedes Vito van and fuel for the trip.

The van will be specially sign written with logos.

Kevin said he first started riding around 25 years ago, packed up for “a long while” and then did a little ride with friends about five or six years ago.

Once Kevin’s interest was re-ignited, he began going out for spins with friends and Spalding Spinners developed from that a couple of years ago,

Spalding Spinners are on Facebook, where there are links to their fundraising pages, or you can visit www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jasonbooth1 or www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=lejogss