A KEEN cyclist from Nailsea will set off on a 5,000-mile US roadtrip for a disaster relief charity today (Wed) and has already raised more than �1,500 toward the challenge.

Over recent weekends, design engineer Richard Boxhall pedalled for the equivalent of an American working day on a static training bike outside a supermarket in the town, clocking up more than �500.

The Newton Green resident also held a quiz night at a Bristol pub, raising about �1,050.

The 31-year-old former Nailsea School pupil is completing the Corner to Corner challenge to raise money and awareness for the disaster relief charity ShelterBox, with a target of raising �5,900 - enough for 10 survival kits.

He said: “During the pedalling event there were a lot of people interested in the trip and everyone told me I was either crazy, mad or nuts.

“We had an actual ShelterBox as a prop and some literature about the charity and I hope we did a good job of spreading the word.”

Today, Richard will ride from the charity’s HQ in Cornwall to London, where he will catch a plane to the US.

He will then leave Neah Bay, in Washington State, on Tuesday, and ride solo and unsupported for 90 days, finishing in Miami Beach, Florida, in October.

Anyone wishing to sponsor him can donate via uk.virginmoneygiving.com/richardonabike and a blog of the trip will be on the website www.richardonabike.com