Bournemouth ex-prisoner to cycle to Paris on Beryl Bike

Beryl bikes are heavier than standard bikes and Mr Haze said that would make the challenge "interesting"

A former prisoner who turned his life around through sport is taking on a new adventure for charity.

David Haze from Bournemouth is cycling 155 miles (249km) from Portsmouth to Paris on a Beryl bike.

He will begin the journey on Monday morning, travelling by ferry to Caen, in France, overnight.

Mr Haze, who served time for burglary, has eight world records in paddleboarding and has mentored young people, discouraging them from crime.

David Haze (left) claimed a record for tandem paddleboarding down the River Thames in 2023

The 38-year-old is raising money for Dorset Mind, a mental health support charity.

Since his release from HMP Guys Marsh in Dorset in April 2020, he began taking on a series of sporting challenges.

He said: "The power of adventure and the power of being outdoors can really change people's mindsets and their positivity, their outlook towards life."

The former city trader broke the world record for the fastest time to paddleboard across the River Thames solo in 2021.

He decided his latest challenge would take place on solid ground.

Beryl bikes are heavier than standard bikes and Mr Haze said that would make the challenge "interesting".

"These bikes aren't designed to travel to France - they're usually used to plodding around your local towns and cities," he said.

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