A FUNDRAISER who is taking part in various cycling challenges for Cancer Research UK can now tick the latest off his list.

The second of four challenges saw Steven Cuthbertson cycle from his home in Kidderminster to Paris, in time for the arrival of the Tour de France riders, before cycling home.

He started his 650-mile round journey on July 24, making it to the Paris finishing point at the Arc de Triomph on Avenue des Champs-Elysees three days later.

Mr Cuthbertson has been posting daily updates from the challenges on his facebook page.

The day after reaching the French landmark Mr Cuthbertson said: “Hard day yesterday. Was going great, then I got lost on the run-in to Paris.

“Batteries died on the phone and the satnav and had to ask directions. Soon became obvious that my French isn't good enough.

“Finally rolled on to the Champs-Elysees at about 5 pm. Had a celebratory beer or three, then went to see the tour arrive.”

After spending the night in Paris, Mr Cuthbertson got back on his bike and cycled the return leg home to Kidderminster with a few hiccups along the way.

“I had a nightmare last day,” he said. “My rear wheel collapsed near Banbury and I had to limp to Stratford and fix it before continuing and then, to cap it all off, I fell in a ford near Redditch.

“I’m stiff and sore but feel quite happy to have managed 650 miles in six-and-a-half days.”

Mr Cuthbertson’s first challenge saw him ride from Kidderminster to Yorkshire for the start of the Tour de France in Leeds.

He then cycled the route of the first two stages of the tour, before heading home – a four-day round-trip distance of 370 miles.

At the end of August Mr Cuthbertson will start his third challenge, when he will cycle the length of the UK, from Land's End to John O'Groats, with the distance totalling 950 miles.

To finish his fundraising efforts Mr Cuthbertson will join with a team of his friends, family and colleagues to take part in the Worcester Relay for Life event.

The 24-hour event takes place on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 at RGS The Grange, Claines, starting at noon, where team members will take it in turns to walk around the track.

All the money Mr Cuthbertson raises will support Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research into preventing, controlling and curing all cancers.

You can follow his progress on facebook by visiting facebook.com/sillysummerofcycling. For more information or to donate to the cause visit bit.ly/1sPjc4r