Andrew Gale’s broken arm may have affected the closing stages of Yorkshire’s county season but the club captain is refusing to be beaten in his bid to cycle for charity.

The left-handed batsman fractured his right forearm after being hit while batting in the nets last month and it ruled him out of the final four LV= County Championship matches.

He was forced to sit and watch as the Tykes were relegated to Division Two, having only won three matches, but 27-year-old Gale is now close to full fitness again.

And with a 320km bike ride to do over six days next month between Yosemite National Park and San Francisco in America, it has come just in the nick of time.

“I was just starting to get into the training with three quite long rides, maybe of two to three hours each,” said the England Lions player, who will be accompanied on the ride by Yorkshire physio Scot McAllister.

“But I couldn’t hold the handle bars when I broke my arm. I was able to get on the bike in the gym because I didn’t have to hold on to that, and I was doing half-hour slots, but I absolutely hated it.

“I preferred to do a bit of cross-training or get the weights vest on and go walking for an hour or so.

“Hopefully, come the ride, everything should be fine again. The doctor has said he can fit me with a light cast as a precaution if we think it’s needed.”

The pair are riding in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care, starting on Sunday, October 9.

Their initial aim was to raise £6,000 but they have nearly doubled that through donations and with auction items from Yorkshire team-mates and Leeds Rhinos Rugby League club among other things.

Gale said: “It’s gone far better than we could have ever anticipated. The support we’ve received has been absolutely fantastic.”

Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Gale0/2.