'˜Can we postpone the honeymoon? I need to cycle to Paris!'

Scott Gaitskell, 36, married wife Kate on July 15 on a date organised to accommodate friends and family visiting from around the world.

But instead of jetting off to sunnier climes, the next day heating engineer Scott set off on a gruelling London to Paris bike ride – having already agreed to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Scott rode in memory of his much-loved “nan” Annie Weightman.

Dad-of-three Scott said: “My nan had Alzheimer’s for about 12 years and passed away in 2002. I was actually working in France at the time, so it added a bit of meaning to me going back there.”

Having a family meant Scott put off the challenge for a number of years.

He said: “I decided to do the ride last year, and my wife and I knew we wanted to get married at about the same sort of time.

“My best man was coming over from Australia and the only date we could fit was the weekend before my Paris ride.

“I had to broach that very carefully with my fiancee!”

Luckily, wife Kate was fully supportive of the venture and took their three children to Paris in order to surprise Scott at the finish line on July 23.

About the challenge itself, he added: “With cycling a lot of it is mental. Your legs will keep going but it’s only if your brain gives up that you have a problem.

“What kept me going was thinking of the people with Alzheimer’s I was doing this for. Compared to them, I had nothing to complain about!”

Scott has already raised over £1,500. See his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/S-Gaitskell.