A keen cyclist who only took up the sport because of a misunderstanding is about to set off on a 3,500-mile trip round France for Red Nose Day.

John Reed, 64, of Reddington Drive, Langley, will set off today from Charles De Gaulle airport. He will cycle through Le Havre, Cherbourg, Brest, Bordeaux, Biarritz, past the Pyranees, through Marseilles and Nice.

He hopes to raise money for the Flying Start global charity partnership between British Airways and Comic Relief for this year's Red Nose Day.

He has raised £10,000 over the years through his rides but said he barely cycled till 10 years ago.

He said: "I got my first bike at 16 but life caught up with me and I never did much.

"Then a friend suggested to go to Brighton 10 years ago and I thought he meant in a car. He meant on bikes - and I've never looked back.

"I never wanted to race or anything - I just really enjoy setting off on long tours."

John has lived in Langley 27 years works as a baggage handler for BA - which led to his interest in Flying Start.

He is married to Dalletta and has four children - as well as being a proud grandfather to a staggering 22 grandchildren.

He thinks his latest journey will take about seven weeks.

Arranging accommodation has been a bit of a nightmare.

He says he had to change the route several times which made it impossible to plan too far ahead.

"I can always camp out if I have to."

You can support John by visiting justgiving.com/johnreed001

The Flying Start charity aims to alleviate poverty in the many countries that BA flies to and is making big differences in communities across the world.