TWO Baildon cyclists begin a 2,000 mile sponsored ride to Spain this Sunday spurred on by their shared love for the same woman.

Frances Stirk was the sister of Bull's Head landlord Paul Kearns and the partner of Steve Tindall for 23 years before she died from cancer in May 2012, aged 54.

And in her memory the two friends have raised a massive £10,000 in sponsorship for their gruelling 36 day ride which sets off from Baildon town centre roundabout at 11am.

Before her death they had previously cycled from Land's End to John o' Groats to raise money for charity.

This will be some more than double the distance and despite hard training, Mr Kearns said it was going to be tough.

"But failure is not an option - so many have pledged money to us that we have to do it and we know we will," said Mr Kearns, 47 who has run the Bull's Head for two years.

"Steve and I have a little motto which is "keep pedalling, and we'll get there eventually".

"We've been cycling 250 miles a week in training and no beer - which is hard when you work surrounded by it!"

They have a camper van travelling with them which will carry a spare bike and a box of donated spares including 24 spare inner tubes.

Cash raised will be split between the Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity and Tomas Leighton Care which benefits an English boy who suffers from cerebral palsy and lives in Benalmadena, Spain, where their epic journey will end.

FOLLOW PAUL AND STEVE'S BLOG HERE

Their route will take them through England for about 300 miles on B roads to pick up a ferry across the Channel into France. They will then cycle through Normandy and south to Toulouse and Carcasonne and over the Pyrenees into Spain.

The route through Spain follows the east coast to Benalmadena and allows them only four rest days over all.

And they are expecting some 70 people to wave them farewell on the first 80 mile leg to Ripley, Derbyshire.

"We'd like to thank the people of Baildon and surrounding areas who have been absolutely amazing when it's come to donations and help," Mr Kearns said.

"As the day draws close, I do feel a bit nervous and Steve and I will be emotional at the start as we think about my sister Frances.

"But we've got so much support from friends and family that I know it will all be fine and we'll definitely make it okay."

Donations can still be made via the website fromraintospain.org.uk