A Bradford dad is ready to battle bears, wolves and mosquitoes on a 5,000-mile challenge from the top of Europe to the bottom – on his bicycle.

Darron Speck, 43, will start his mammoth journey at North Cape, Norway, on May 22. He aims to finish, 70 days later, in Malta.

His expedition, in aid of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, will likely see him pass through Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and Sicily.

Mr Speck, of Thornton, said: “The epic challenge will be done solo, unsupported and I will be wild camping along the way. I have not got a specific route, but it will be over mountains, through the wilderness forests of northern Europe where there are bears, wolves, lynx and adders, through the height of mosquito season in Sweden, and through the wild forests of Germany, and over the Alps. I could experience extreme weather from minus-20 in Norway to plus-40 in Italy.

“This will be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Not only because of the real dangers of bears and wolves, but also the emotional dangers of cycling all that way on my own with no support, having to carry everything I will need to survive, and no back-up.”

He added: “I just thought, the more extreme the challenge, the more money I would raise, hopefully.”

Mr Speck’s training for the journey, he admits, has been far from ideal. He regularly cycles a 22-mile round trip to work, but an accident on ice recently which saw him come off his bike has slowed his fitness schedule.

But he is undeterred, saying: “It just adds an extra edge to it!

“My parents are not very keen on the whole thing, but my children Alexander, 14, and Brooke, nine, have pushed me, saying it would be brilliant!”

He admits the journey will stretch him financially, especially as he is taking three months’ unpaid leave from his job as a customer relationship manager.

But he refuses to put aside any donations to help him along his way.

“I believe all the money raised should go to the charity,” said Mr Speck. “I will be doing all my own cooking, and there will be no money for any bed and breakfast accommodation. I may even end up foraging for food!”

Mr Speck said he was worried about the cost of using his phone abroad, as he wants to keep followers updated via Facebook and a blog.

He said. “I am worried about data charges for using a phone abroad. That is my biggest financial concern. If anyone can help with a way to make that cheaper, I would be grateful.”

His bike has been prepared by Barry Firth, of Firth Cycles in Queensbury. “He has been absolutely fantastic,” said Mr Speck.

To sponsor Mr Speck, visit www.justgiving.com/darronspeckcycleride.