Two grown men, who admit they should know better, are preparing to cycle 850 miles on a tandem.

Alex Moir, the head teacher of Park Wood infant and junior schools, is taking up the challenge with his friend Richard Parkinson.

The pair have completed a number of tough tasks together, including the Three Peaks challenge and 100-mile long distance walks, for various causes.
This time they are cycling from John O’Groats to Land’s End, raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Mr Moir, 38, is half English and half Scottish so it seemed an appropriate challenge.
He said: “I see every day at school how cancer affects the pupils and the staff.

“I remember being the same age as many of my pupils and feeling similar pain in my own family. I lost three grandparents within three months, it was horrible.

“Cancer is something that seems to affect the most people, so we decided to take on a challenge and do it for a good cause.”

"We wanted to complete it on a tandem, risking the taunts and humiliation of the masses, because it captures people’s imaginations and makes them smile." - Alex Moir

Over the years the adventure-seeking duo have supported the Stroke Association and Great Ormond Street Hospital. They have 1,500 miles of practice under their belts and set off on Friday .

Mr Moir, a dad-of-four, added: “We hadn’t taken on a cycling challenge before so once we decided to do that, the next stage was to think of a way to make it a bit more quirky and interesting.

“We wanted to complete it on a tandem, risking the taunts and humiliation of the masses, because it captures people’s imaginations and makes them smile.

“The tandem flies downhill and is good on the flat, but uphill is a real struggle. Scotland and parts of Devon and Cornwall are going to be very painful.

“So spare a thought for two idiots who should know better and please give generously.”

They will be cycling for up to 10 hours a day, for two weeks and have so far raised £1,500.

To support them, visit www.justgiving.com/Alex-Moir2 or text TNDM50 and the amount to 70070.