Stuart to cycle to Paris

A DUNMOW cyclist is embarking on a 297 mile trip to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Stuart Fobbester, from North Street, has been in training for months leading up to the big cycle trip next week but is relishing the challenge, which will see him pedal the road between two of Europe's most famous capitals, London and Paris.

He said: "I have been riding between Dunmow and Bishop's Stortford on the old A120 on my new racing bike."

After setting up a web page for online sponsorship Mr Fobbester has smashed through his target of £2500 to raise a total of £3170, so far, although this wasn't the only smash that he had after a recent accident nearly scuppered his preparation.

Riding along the bridge over the new A120, head down, he ran into the back of a van, which had stopped in the middle of the road.

"Thank goodness I was wearing a helmet," he said. "I went straight into the van head first, luckily I came away with just a few cuts and bruises, but I had to replace the forks on my bike before I could carry on training."

Mr Fobbester has become a regular sight for commuters using the routes around Dunmow as he rides along in his luminous yellow vest in preparation for the four day trip from Blackheath in London to the finish line at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

He said: "We will be taking in all the famous sights, such as the white cliffs of Dover, the river Somme, Beauvais Cathedral, and of course, the Champs Elysee.

"The race is likely to be very gruelling but I am really looking forward to it. So many people have sponsored me, and I cannot thank them enough."

Sponsors have dished up as much as £250 each to help him raise as much as possible for the charity, but there is still time to pledge more cash, by visiting www.justgiving. com/stuartfobbester