A DARWEN man has set his sights on conquering ‘the world’s toughest cycle race’.

Neil Harwood, 33, wants to attempt The Great Divide — a 2,745 mile mountain bike ride from Canada to New Mexico.

The world's longest off-pavement cycling route, it features a staggering 200,000 feet of vertical ascent — equivalent to climbing Mount Everest from sea-level seven times.

Neil said: “Forget the Tour De France as being the toughest race on earth, forget the support teams, forget the comfy hotels, forget nice smooth roads.

“The Tour Divide is the toughest race on earth.”

Neil, a systems and IT manager for East Lancs Medical Service, said he had always had a passion for cycling.

He said: “I remember I was around nine years old, my brother and I decided it would be a good idea to go and meet my dad after work.

“With me being nine, not very good at directions and not knowing how far a mile was, we set off to Leyland from Darwen.

“I guess this was my first experience of a long distance bike ride!”

Neil is looking for sponsorship to help fund his challenge.

If you can help email neil-harwood@sky.com or visit www.thenezbo.blogspot.com