'˜Proud' Kenilworth cyclist completes 350-mile ride for charity

Russell Graham, 31, was part of a 14-strong team from Jaguar Land Rover who finished the ride in aid of the NSPCC.

He said: “It was so much fun to ride through French villages with children screaming: ‘Allez! Allez!’ as you passed.

“There were plenty of comedy moments including someone bragging about a set of expensive new pedals before breaking one at the next set of traffic lights.

“On day three we cycled a few miles around a car park just to make sure we broke the 100-mile mark for that day.”

The team arrived at the Champs-Elysees just one day before the elite riders competing in the Tour de France did, led by British champion Chris Froome.

Despite some near misses with walls, grass verges and buses, along with a bitterly cold ferry transfer to Dunkirk, Russell insisted he would do it all again.

He added: “All the soreness and fatigue dissipated on getting closer to the Eiffel Tower.

“It was a rush to the whole body. I felt very relieved and proud – the NSPCC do some great work with kids and I was happy to have supported them.

“I spent a few hours having a drink before going to bed exhausted.”

The team of riders hope to raise more than £25,000 for the children’s charity through individual fundraising efforts and a group fundraising site at justgiving.com/fundraising/teamjlrnspcc.

NSPCC community fundraiser Jenny Sedgwick said: “This was a massive challenge for Russell and the team, so a big well done to them.

“Jaguar Land Rover is a longstanding supporter of our fantastic work to prevent child cruelty and support victims of abusive behaviour.”