BUSINESSES from across Bradford district will do a cycling challenge to raise money for charity - and to support a group of cyclists tackling a 600-mile ride.

On Thursday, companies will compete against each other in the ‘La Redoute Corporate Cycle Challenge’ to raise funds for the Bradford Bulls Foundation and Choices4All.

It is also in support of a group of 19 riders who were due to complete a 600-mile Bradford to Roubaix, in France, cycling challenge today.

Each business will have a static bike placed in its premises, with employees and customers invited to cycle as many miles as they can in one day. Companies were also challenged to have the most people riding the bike in one day.

Businesses signed up to the challenge include La Redoute, Bradford Bulls, Credit Resource Solutions, Provident, Vision On, Bradford Hotel and Pavilion Café Bar in City Park.

A spokesman for Pavilion said: “Many of the riders are regular visitors to our café and we are therefore extremely pleased to be involved in this campaign.”

The Corporate Challenge will raise funds for the Bradford Bulls Foundation, who provide a safe venue for cyclists to train, and Choices4All, which is based at the University of Bradford and enables disabled people to access sports and activities.

Both organisations are supporting the drive for Bradford to mirror Roubaix and become known as its country’s Capital of Cycling.

Zoe Pitman, employer brand executive at La Redoute UK, said: “La Redoute is delighted to be associated with this initiative. It is a fantastic way for the Bradford community to support the 19 riders who are taking on the 600-mile challenge from Bradford to Roubaix.”

The competition will have live streaming from the different venues and updates on social media on Twitter using #LRonyerbike and at www.facebook.com/Bradford2Roubaix. The prize for the winning company in each category will be a guided ride for their employees with Bradford Cycle Club.

All competing companies will also be invited to the Good Friday Easter rugby league derby between Bradford Bulls and Halifax RLFC.

This match will also provide the official welcome home for the 19 cyclists taking part in the Bradford to Roubaix Cycle Challenge. The winner of the Corporate Challenges will also be presented with their prizes on the pitch before the rugby starts.

To join in the fun, visit one of the bikes open to the public, including the ones at the Bradford Bulls team shop, the Pavilion Café Bar and The Bradford Hotel.

For more information, contact info@bullsfoundation.org.