A LEEDS architect is preparing to embark on a gruelling 92-mile bike ride that includes some of the region’s steepest climbs, which he hopes to complete in less than six and a half hours whilst raising money for a range of deserving local charities.

Mark Henderson, a director at Brewster Bye Architects in Headingley, is participating in The Maserati Tour de Yorkshire, which will see amateur riders complete most of the final stage of the three day Tour de Yorkshire on the morning of Sunday 3^rd May.  The professional competitors will follow the sportive in the afternoon when the inaugural tour’s overall winner will be decided.

Mark is raising money for Leeds Community Foundation, which works with thousands of local charities in Leeds and last year gave grants to more than 500 community groups.  Mark says: “This is a great opportunity to be part of the legacy of the Tour de France, as well as raising money for Leeds Community Foundation which supports a fantastic range of local causes that continually improve peoples’ lives.

“It’s certainly going to be a long day, starting at 6.30am in Roundhay, crossing Otley Chevin, heading towards Halifax, into Hebden Bridge, climbing over to Haworth, up Goose Eye to Addingham and over the Cow and Calf before finishing back at Roundhay Park.  The course covers a lot of the Grand Départ route and is very hilly, with approximately 9,000 feet of climbs, and I’m hoping to average 15mph so it will be tough!”

The Tour de Yorkshire aims to build on the success of the Tour de France and will see the world’s leading cyclists complete three stages, starting in Bridlington on Friday 1^st May before pedalling through large parts of Yorkshire and finishing in Roundhay Park two days later.  The televised event is approved by The Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body for cycling, and will be run by Welcome to Yorkshire and Amaury Sport Organisation, which operates the Tour de France.