A PENARTH bike shop is supporting a team of cyclists as they ride from Cardiff to Paris in aid of charity.

The Bike Shop Wales, based on Glebe Street, is supporting the ‘Ride to the Rugby’ in aid of the homeless charity Shelter Cymru. The bike shop is supporting Nation Radio, who are one of the main sponsors of the charity challenge.

The team of 63 fundraising cyclists will set off from the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday and hope to make it to the Stade de France in time to watch France v Wales on Saturday, February 28.

Former Welsh rugby stars Colin Charvis and Hal Luscombe will be leading the four-day cycle across the channel, and will be carrying the match ball with them that will be used to kick off the match in France.

The Only Men Aloud choir are also set to take part in the ride, as well as singing the Welsh National Anthem at the Stade de France before the Six Nations match. It will be the first time an away team representative has ever sung their own national anthem in the competition, rather than the home team's representative singing it.

Before the team embark on their epic 300mile challenge, where they will be riding between 60 and 70 miles a day, The Bike Shop will be offering riders free bike checks and discounts on some materials.

Karey Sharp, who has owned the business for around two and a half years, said they leapt at the chance to get involved with the charity bike ride.

“I haven’t got the time to be able to cycle it myself, but it’s great to be able to support it,” he said.

“We try to get involved in as much charity work as we can.”

During the Penarth Summer Festival The Bike Shop donated a BMX and other kit to a charity raffle in aid of Tenovus during a day of events on Glebe Street, as well as donating vouchers to a range of other charity fundraising events across the town.

Last year the bike shop also supplied Ashgrove School, which is now part of the Ysgol y Deri special school at the Penarth Learning Community, with specially adapted bikes for disabled students.

Karey, who is originally from Arizona before moving to Wales around 10 years ago, added that the shop was also looking to work with Penarth Leisure Centre to hold a ‘Bike Clinic’.

“We could show people how to change inner tubes, use puncture repair kits and make sure their bikes are safe,” he said.

Andrew Jones from Shelter Cymru added: “Following our very successful Ride to the Rugby to Ireland last year we have double the number of people on this year’s Ride to Paris. Not only will they have to cope with cycling 300 miles in potentially cold and wet weather they have also signed up to raising £1500 each for Shelter Cymru. Shelter Cymru are very grateful to all the individuals, organisations and companies that have already pledged their support to help them complete the challenge. A great example of this is The Bike Shop Wales who are working with Nation Radio Wales.”

Other sponsors of the event include Gulliver’s Sports Travel, Creigiau Travel, Freight Movement Ltd and Sarn Helen Events.