A PEDAL-POWERED family are saddling up for a charity challenge.

David Smith, of Rossett, will be accompanied by the whole family at Clatterbridge Cancer Research’s Circle of Hope charity cycle on May 6, joined for the first time by youngest son Alexander, 10, and wife Alison, 41.

Previous years have seen David, a technical team leader at Bank of America in Chester, complete the 100-mile challenge with eldest son Christian, now 12.

This year the family has high hopes little brother Alexander will also tackle the longest route with both boys delighted their mum, a civil servant at Wrexham’s benefits agency, is taking on the 15-mile loop.

Christian Smith was just 11 when he signed up to his first long-distance charity cycle ride and last year he became the charity’s ambassador and mascot for the challenge.

David said: “I was never a cyclist. “When our youngest boy started playing football I realised I was struggling to run from one side of the pitch to the other. I was very unfit.

“I told everyone in work I was going to buy a bike and use it to commute every day.

“I went out and bought a mountain bike hybrid for about £250 and tackled the daily five-mile route to work.

“I lost three stone and got a lot fitter, then we started riding as a family.

“We’re training quite seriously for this year’s event.

“We’re doing 30 miles at weekends, fitting it in around football, and Alexander is taking it in his stride.”

The ride starts and finishes in Hope and competitors can choose from three courses of 15 miles, 50 miles and 100 miles.

The 100-mile route encompasses Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham and Cheshire, climbs up to Eglwyseg Mountain and World’s End, out to Malpas and Peckforton Hills, then back via Farndon to Hope.

For details, and to register, visit www.circleofhopebikeride.org or call Clatterbridge Cancer Research on 0151 343 4300.