LANCE Armstrong trained to win a record-breaking seventh Tour de France by cycling up and down mountains in the Canary Islands.

Wuss.

Jim Thompson embarked on an epic bike journey of his own today saying, "Training? Who needs it?"

"I've hardly ridden my bike at all lately," said Jim, chairman of the York Campaign for Real Ale. "However I'm sure that I will be able to complete the quest."

The quest in question is a 60-mile ride from York to Scarborough to raise cash for the Oak Tree Foundation.

This Huddersfield charity, run by his brother Bob, provides humanitarian aid to the poor, sick and needy children of Romania.

Look at www.icOakTree.co.uk for more information on its good work.

We shouldn't imply Jim has done no preparation for the trip. "I've cut down my intake of pork-pies to two a week and have cut out bacon sarnies all together - no mean feat for me."

He is being accompanied by those veteran beer-loving bicyclists the Ales Angels. Phil Lee, of Cropton Brewery - home to the legendary Two Pints Bitter - is not only taking part, but has made a generous cash donation to the fund. If that wasn't enough he has provided T-shirts for the gang to wear on the ride (no yellow jerseys required) and thrown in five firkins of beer.

"Much as I would like to sup it all myself or throw a party, they are for the cause," Jim explained. "We hope these will be taken in by various free houses to be sold on with £1 per pint going to the charity."

The Tap & Spile on Monkgate, has already agreed to take part.

Jim and his pedal pushers were due to set off from The Maltings, Tanners Moat, this afternoon. From there, they follow a fiendish route, devised by CAMRA social secretary Stuart Barkworth, which first takes them to Cropton Brewery. There they camp out for the night (perhaps after one restorative pint).

They aim to arrive at the Indigo Alley in Scarborough at 2pm tomorrow. Give them a cheer, a beer and a few quid if you see them.

Updated: 16:33 Friday, September 02, 2005