A SENIOR judge is gearing up for a charity team bike ride to Bradford's twin city in Germany.

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Roger Thomas QC, is taking part in a trek with 12 disabled cyclists to Hamm next year.

The inclusive ride will be in aid of Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure (BDSL), a charity which aims to provide disabled people with high quality sport and physical activity.

They run various clubs and activities across the Bradford district every day for more than 400 disabled people.

The Hamm trek will be one way and split into 60-mile daily rides and only in Europe on cycle ways.

The 26-strong group will travel from Bradford city centre to Hull and then get a ferry to Rotterdam, where the cycling leg will start.

This will see them travel for 260 miles from Rotterdam to Hamm.

Once they arrive in Hamm, the group will attend a civic reception in the city.

The squad will include 12 disabled riders, ten mentors and four drivers. Each of the disabled riders will have to raise £600 and then chosen after applying to take part.

The seven-day trip, scheduled to take place in early June next year, will include members of BDSL's cycle club which meets every Saturday in Lister Park, Bradford.

Judge Thomas, who is a keen cyclist himself, will also be taking part in the charity ride, as a group mentor.

He said: "What a brilliant cause.

"I'm into my cycling. I cycle into work at least two or three times a week.

"I have ridden from Land's End to John O'Groats and completed the Channel to the Med challenge over the last ten years.

"I read about the Bradford to Hamm trip in the Telegraph & Argus and thought, 'I cycle, so why not take part'. I was interested in doing it.

"I will be writing to the chief judge in Hamm to take part."

Hilary White, of BDSL, says the trip is not just to raise funds for her charity but also to include disabled people in such challenges.

She said: "Raising funds is not the be all and end all of this trip.

"All of our members can take part and enjoy themselves and not be excluded because they are disabled.

"We are still sorting out applications on who will take part."

Barry Thorne, BDSL fundraising officer, said: "This trip from Bradford to Hamm has never been done before by a disabled group."

BDSL is also looking for people to make donations towards the trip, including minibuses for the group to use.

For more information, call Barry Thorne, of BDSL, on 01274 437093 or email bsr1@btconnect.com