Lincoln rider raises £1,000 for Prostate Cancer UK on unique route after plans to take part in Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 in Glasgow fall through

A charity bike rider survived two punctures over three days in the saddle as he set out to raise £1,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.

James Pinchbeck, 61, tackled the unique 181-mile challenge of cycling from Hull to Cambridge using quiet lanes and Sustrans routes over this past weekend.

The business consultant from Lincoln decided to launch his new company, Pinchbeck Marketing and Advisory, with the ride after having his plans to take part in Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4 in Glasgow last month fell through.

As well as raising funds for charity, the self-designed course mapped its way through James’s life.

“The route reflects not just a fundraising challenge, but the geography of my career and network – places where I’ve worked with businesses, boards and professional firms over the past 25 years,” he said.

“It feels like a fitting way to start this new chapter – with purpose, challenge and momentum.”

He set off from Hull on Friday (October 24), taking the footpath over the Humber Bridge on his way to Woodhall Spa, where he said he enjoyed a “much needed” pint.

Day two took him the 91 miles from Woodhall Spa to Huntingdon, passing by his namesake village near Spalding on the way, before a final 21-mile sprint to Cambridge on Sunday, where he was met by his wife, Erika.

James, who has been a keen cyclist for more than 40 years, told LincsOnline: “I’m a great believer in the benefits of cycling for our wellbeing and mental health.

“For me, whether cycling in a group or on my own, being outside really helps me clear my head.

“Many like me benefit from the both the exercise but connecting with nature and away from the day-to-day drudge.”

Away from the road, he was also the chief marketing officer at Streets Chartered Accountants, and been chair at the Lincoln Colleges Group, University of Lincoln International Business School Advisory Board, and Greater Lincolnshire Growth Hub Business Advisory Board.

Donate to James’s £1,000 target on his JustGiving page.

Send your charity stories to: news@lincsonline.co.uk