Keighley News editor Malcolm Hoddy is to cycle more than 300 miles, on a journey that will see him travel from Bradford to the centre of its twin town of Hamm in Germany.

The journalist is to embark on the challenge to mark his 60th birthday, and hopes to raise money for the Lord Mayor of Bradford’s appeal.

He will join a team of 20 cyclists for the journey in April, cycling 55 miles from Bradford to Hull on day one, 100 miles from Rotterdam to Nimejgen on day two and and 80 miles from Nimejgen to Hamm on day three.

On the return journey the team will cycle part of the way to the ferry port and then from Hull to Bradford – a total trip of 314 miles.

The stunt will be the latest in a series of unusual challenges, after Malcom pledged to do something every year after he clocked up his 50th birthday.

He has kept his personal promise and has previously completed a solo parachute jump, been white water rafting, travelled to Iraq, abseiled over a massive dam and completed the Great North Bike Run.

The cycle ride will raise money for the Bradford Sport and Recreation Association for People with Disabilities, and Born in Bradford, a ground-breaking project designed to improve the health of children.

Malcolm said: “I know I can rely on my colleagues to shower me with sponsorship pledges for these two great causes and also make an ‘old’ man very happy.

“It will make up for the potential discomfort of spending so many hours in the saddle.”

If you would like to sponsor Malcolm, you can contact him by e-mail at [email protected]