A Co Down man is cycling the breadth of France in a bid to raise funds for Dementia NI.
Patrick McMillan from Saintfield will set off from Cherbourg and end up in Strasbourg, towing a small trailer behind him.
He told Belfast Live he was "very much looking forward to" his country-wide challenge, which he starts on Wednesday, May 18.
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"I turned 60 last month and I thought well I've got to get on with things and do things while I can," he said.
"I've not made any return arrangements yet but there's plenty of train options etc in Strasbourg,
"I'm going to bring a tent and sleeping bag and camp when I can get a nice camping site.
"I'll maybe stay in the odd B&B or cheaper hotel for a decent bed and shower and all the rest.
"Camp sites I've found have been great in the past though, you've got great facilities and you can stick a load in the washing machine which will be important!".
The HGV driver says the cause has particular poignance for him and will provide extra motivation along the way.
"It's all about helping people who live with dementia stay in their homes and family setting for as long as possible," he said.
"That strikes a chord with me, both my parents lived with that in their later years.
"Everybody knows somebody who has lived with it whether that be their parents or wider family or whatever.
"It gives a bit of purpose to the journey - it adds a little bit of pressure as you want to do as well as possible for Dementia NI, but I'm very happy to do that."
He said he has been ion training with his trailer, which he is hoping to have loaded with no more than 15kg.
"I'm very much looking forward to it but there's trepidation too," he added.
"It's been easy talking about it but as the say, talk is cheap and it's when you push the bicycle off the ferry and you're thinking 'oh crikey, what have I let myself in for?'
"I'm relishing the challenge in fairness, there will be things to overcome along the way, but that's part of the fun.
"I do consider myself very lucky to be able to do it and the support of my family and my employer has been absolutely tremendous."
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