A GROUP of friends are preparing themselves for a cycle that covers more than 1,000 miles - all the way to Ibiza.

Bradley Phillips, 23, Andrew Barber, 26, and Marcus Spindler, 23, will by cycling from their home town to the party island on July 22.

Their total distance will be whopping 1,273 miles.

The friends, who have known each other from school and have stayed close for 12 years, have had very little experience on a bike.

Bradley, of St John’s Green, said: “We will be cycling for 80 miles a day for two weeks and it was only planned six weeks prior to leaving.

“I booked two weeks off as holiday as I saw how far we could go pushing ourselves to the limit.”

From Colchester the team will cycle to the Eurotunnel station at St. Pancras in London.

They will get the train to Paris and from there, it is a leisurely 725 miles through France and Spain to the Port of Barcelona.

From there they will make the final stretch on a nine- hour ferry.

The journey should take them up until August 5 and they plan to camp for most days.

It will be a huge challenge, but the group is staying positive.

Bradley said: “We have all wanted to raise money for charity and we all feel optimistic.

“The support has been phenomenal.”

He is raising money for Refuge for women.

On his fundraising page he said: “I needn’t have to explain why I have chosen to support this charity as their message is clear.

“It is imperative that we live in a world where women feel safe, empowered and appreciated the way they affect, protect and project their love to their children.”

Andrew Barber, of Shakespeare Road, is raising money for the British Red Cross and Marcus Spindler, of Creffield Road, is raising funds for East Anglia Children’s Hospices.

Visit www.justgiving.com/ Andrew-Barber22, www.justgiving.com/23BPhillips and www.justgiving.com/BikingBeyondBorders to donate.