SIX friends are gearing up to cycle 700 miles and climb three mountains in England, Scotland and Wales.

The team from Oxfordshire will pedal their way between Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in the Lake District, and Snowdon in North Wales.

Morgan Pearce, 24, from Wallingford, Martin Harrison, 48, from Cholsey, Phil New, 42, from Didcot, Jon Nicholls, 42, from Henley, Dan Pearce, 28, from Aldershot, and Andy Peet, 37, from Wallingford, are taking on the challenge to raise £5,000 for Oxford’s Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

Mr Pearce said he had come up with the idea for the epic adventure earlier this year.

He said: “In April, I was walking in the Lake District and was thinking about the Three Peaks.

“I thought of doing it with an added twist of cycling between climbing the mountains and decided to put up a notice on the wall at Wallingford Squash Club to see who would be interested.

“Within a week, I had five guys up for the challenge.”

The group, which sets off on Sunday, will be supported by drivers Carol New, 46, and Alex Slezak, 31, both from Wallingford.

In preparation for their adventure the team has been training solidly for four months.

They meet up most weekends, cycling between 70 and 120 miles each time.

Mr Pearce said: “We have also been training on our own during the week. I have been cycling to and from work everyday which is 20 miles each way and some of the guys have been going out and doing up to 30 miles after work.”

The group has already raised £3,000 for the charities.

To make a donation, see the website 3peakbikehike.info