A FATHER and son cycling duo are looking forward to tackling hundreds of miles of Yorkshire's roads – as long as the son can keep up!

Derek Highe, 55, from Mirfield, is taking on the 240-mile Pedal for Pounds challenge for the second time, while son James, 22, will be embarking on his first marathon cycle ride.

The pair are taking part in the cycling challenge which raises funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Huddersfield Town’s Academy.

Derek, speaking before he set off on day one’s 78-mile stage between Huddersfield and Hull, said he caught the buzz for the ride when he was at Brighton two seasons ago and the cyclists on Pedal for Pounds 2 arrived.

The D&M Interiors boss, who has had a knee replacement following years of local football, said: “Myself and my wife were staying the same hotel on the Friday that the riders were staying in. The atmosphere was amazing. I said to my wife I may do it next year just to show how strong my knee is.”

Mr Highe completed last year’s ride from Yeovil to Huddersfield and said he enjoyed almost every moment of it ... except the stage between Bristol and Birmingham when conditions turned nasty turning the day’s cycling into a wet slog.

Derek, who is in the advanced group of Team White, said despite the foul weather, there was a still a great cameraderie.

He added: “My son and I are in different groups. He’s in a beginners group, Team Rainbow. But at the end of the day as riders we’re all together and we look after each other – that was certainly the case with the riders last year.”

Despite having taken part in 2012’s event, Mr Highe confessed to being excited before the off, adding: “It’s a fantastic event and to be associated with what the club chairman Dean Hoyle is trying to do is just great.”

Derek will be sending a daily update from the road after he completes each day’s ride.

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