A FUNDRAISING cyclist who completed his own mini Tour de France last year is getting back on his bike.

Twelve months ago, Paul Ince pedalled 300 miles from Bordeaux to Sete, on the Mediterranean coast, in aid of St Columba’s Hospice.

Later this month, he will be back in the saddle as he ventures from Marseille to Lyon.

The Longniddry resident will be joined by more than a dozen others in completing the 240-mile cycle in just four days.

The 71-year-old was looking forward to the experience and said: “I suppose it depends on the wind direction.

“Basically, we are following the Rhone Valley, so, it is uphill all way because the river flows downhill to the Mediterranean.

“There are one or two days where there is quite a lot of climbing.

“On the second day, there is an option to go up Mont Ventoux, which is about 5,000 feet of climbing – it is a bit hillier than East Lothian!

“It might be a decision on the day and see what happens.”

Paul’s connection with St Columba’s Hospice stretches back more than a decade.

The charity provides world-leading hospice care for everyone in Edinburgh and the Lothians free of charge.

The father-of-three said: “It goes back to 2010 when my sister [Susan] died in the hospice.

“Ever since then, our family has contributed to fundraising efforts.

“Back in 2012 and 2014, I rode the Celtic Challenge, which, at the time, was Edinburgh to Iona, in four days.

“On both those occasions, we started out of the hospice and then for various reasons in the intervening years other things took over.”

Last year, Paul was due to take part in a fundraising cycle in the Hebrides.

But when that fell through, he had the chance to take on a cycle in France

His experience 12 months ago has encouraged him to once again get back on the saddle and raise funds for the good cause.

He said: “I shared a room last year with a chap whose partner died early last year.

“It was still pretty raw for him but everybody has got their own story about why they are supporting it.”

Now, the countdown is on until Paul flies out to France, with his preparations well under way for the four-day event.

The retired civil engineer, who worked for East Lothian Council, said: “There is a support vehicle that goes ahead, putting out arrows at key junctions and setting up refreshments.

“The guy organising the ride cycles with the group and, every event I have been at with him, he is very well organised.

“All we have to do is pedal!

“The bags are taken in the van and you arrive at the hotel, you unload the bag, go to your room and that is that.

“The trips are all fully catered and all we have to do is turn up and ride the bike.

“I would image there will be a French bottle at the finish line.

“Last year, we finished on the Mediterranean and it was a scorching hot day.

“Everybody charged into the sea and came out and had a glass of fizz – it was a good way to finish.”

To support Paul and to make a donation, go to stcolumbashospicecare.enthuse.com/pf/paul-ince