A BREAST cancer survivor who has only learned to ride a bike last year at the age of 62 will join more than 2,000 women this month to take on a 100km night ride through London.

Retired teacher Christine Lumb, of Woodside Road, Wyke, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 after discovering a grade three lump.

She received a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and went through the common effects of treatment, including hair loss.

"At the time I'd always been well - I think that probably helped," she said.

"I'd never had a day off sick and was still working full-time in a primary school in Holme Wood.

"I'm quite a pragmatic person so I thought, I've found a lump now get on with it. Even though it was a Grade 3, I'd found it early enough. I'd found it because I'd examined myself. It's something all women must do."

Now she is in her fourth year of remission and feels "great" and on Saturday, May 30, she will be riding out for Breast Cancer Care.

Last year she decided to get fit, she said: "I'd turned into a couch potato and had to do something about it.

"I decided to learn to ride a bike - I'd only ever been on a tricycle before and one of those four-wheeled buggies you used to get at the seaside. It was all a bit weird and wobbly at first but I soon got the hang of it."

She has had help from her good friend Claire Pendery, who is an experienced cyclist and has competed in many triathlons.

Mrs Lumb, who is married to David, 68, and has a son and daughter and three grandchildren, said: "I couldn't have done this without Claire. We go out training three times a week - she's even got me making my own energy bars!"

Women V Cancer Ride the Night is now in its second year, and last year alone raised £1 million for its three official charities, Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

Director of event organisers for Action for Charity, Ann Frampton, said: “Stories like this are what make Women V Cancer Ride the Night so special.

"Almost everyone taking part has a story and that’s why we encourage people to take the chance to do something special, and challenging, to raise money for causes they truly believe in."

After being treated to a pink-themed fireworks display at Royal Windsor Racecourse, the riders will set off in four waves between 9pm and 10.30pm taking them past many famous London landmarks, including Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.

Mrs Lumb's JustGiving page can be found at justgiving.com/Christine-Lumb.

Entries for this year’s Women V Cancer Ride the Night have sold out, but entries for the 2016 event, which takes place on Saturday, May 28, are now open. To find out more, visit ridethenight.co.uk.