Thirteen bold cyclists are aiming to show Tour de France hotshot Chris Froome how it’s done as they cycle 700 miles in seven days between Bradford and Paris - and back again.

Adam Tasker and a group of friends set off from City Park at about 9am on Wednesday. They are raising money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

After leaving Bradford, the cyclists headed for Hull to catch an afternoon ferry to Rotterdam in Holland. They were heading through Belgium, then calling at Roubaix in northern France before tackling the infamous Hell of the North route between there and the French capital - and will then do it all again in reverse.

Taras Stefanyszyn is one of the cyclists. He said: “Looking forward to showing the world our true Yorkshire grit and determination and offering them a warm welcome for Le Tour 2014.

“Bring on Roubaix’s Hell of the North, because Bradford is coming!”

The other cyclists in the group are Liz Hills, Gareth Helliwell, Mark Sutherland, Rob Preston, Chris Wilson, Ian Linley, Ian Hill, Karen Pickles, Andy Watt, Gary Bailey and Paul Holliman.

To follow their journey, like their Facebook page at facebook.com/TheNrccCycleToParisInAidOfYorkshireCancerResearch.

If you want to donate to their cause, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/ParisChallenge.