Cyclists set off on ride to hit £2m charity target

Manfred Saenger, Tim O'Leary, Russell Smith and Patrick Brewster have represented the Spokesmen cycling team over the years

More than 160 cyclists are taking part in a "last hurrah" as they aim to hit a £2m fundraising milestone in aid of 350 charities.

Forty-two teams from Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes set off on Friday morning in the final edition of the Extra Miles Challenges.

The 23rd event, which started in 2003, will see cyclists traverse 500 miles (805km) through France, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland over three days. Riders will finish at Mulhouse in France on Sunday.

Manfred Saenger, 77, from team Spokesmen, said he was both sad and excited to be part of the "last bang".

Two teams from Ashe Construction completed the 2016 Lake Geneva challenge

Mr Saenger, from Biddenham in Bedfordshire, is taking part with teammates Tim O'Leary, Jon Ross and Lawrence O'Leary, to raise funds for Bedford-based Food Etc and AMMF, a bile duct cancer charity.

The Extra Miles Challenges have so far raised about £1.9m.

Grandfather Mr Saenger said he had taken part in the event over 18 years.

"I've had such great memories," he explained.

"Every year has been a highlight; the friendships we've made and the comradery make it so special.

"This is the last bang. On one hand I'm really excited as we'll make this one particularly special, but it's also sad that it's come to the end."

He said the plan was to always finish the annual event when it got to 20 years or hit the £2m target - and they decided the money was more important.

Since 2003, the 500-mile challenge has taken cyclists through different countries and regions in Europe

An Extra Mile spokesperson said: "The event takes a great deal of volunteers' time to put on and the organising committee realised that the event was close to having raised a total of £2m over the years, so decided to have a 'last hurrah' and try to break that barrier.

"This has brought back a number of entrants who have not taken part for a few years, and this year there will be 42 teams endeavouring to do so."