JOHN Corker had less time to spend cycling after he became a father.

But the Kirkburton man came up with the perfect way to keep riding without having to spend less time with his young sons.

The 44-year-old cycles a gruelling 56-mile commute up and over the Pennines to Middleton in Greater Manchester.

John said: “It’s an efficient way of getting some cycling in without eating too much into my time with my children. I can get three hours of hard cycling done in a day.”

John lives on Woodside Lane with his partner, Ros, and their children James, two, and six-month-old Alexander.

“I’m the treasurer of the Huddersfield Star Wheelers but I can’t go out with them on long rides anymore,” he said.

So, once a week, he saddles up and cycles 28 miles to his job as a financial controller with security company Chubb in Middleton near Oldham.

John takes the Penistone Road into Huddersfield before heading to Outlane on the A640 and continuing to the top of the Pennines at Buckstones.

From 1,500ft up he cycles down through Denshaw and Oldham into Middleton.

The ride takes him around 1 hour and 30 minutes – about twice as long as the car journey. But it’s worth the earlier start.

John said: “The exercise releases endorphins which makes you feel alive.

“I don’t think riding reduces my ability to work – quite the opposite, it clears away the cobwebs.

“It’s a pleasant ride and quite scenic as well. It’s a lot better than being stuck in a car.”

However, his colleagues don’t see it that way.

John said: “They think I’m a bit strange, they seem to think that cycling anything over 10 miles is too far.

“I’ve been to Holland and Germany where it’s normal to cycle to work, but in this country it’s quite unusual. I think we’re the poorer for it.”

Do you face a tougher or longer commute to work than John or know someone who does? Call our newsdesk on 01484 437712 or email editorial@examiner.co.uk.