A 62-year-old cycling fanatic from Cobham will aim to roll back the years and raise money for charity as he takes part in Britain’s biggest bike race for a generation.

Having completed the 160-mile Paris-Roubaix road race three times in his 30s, father-of-three Malcolm King became more of a casual peddler, going out on weekends to keep fit.

But keen to give himself a challenge for the year, he signed up to take part in the Prudential RideLondon, where he’ll be among 20,000 riders tackling a 100-mile route that finishes on The Mall.

The event starts from the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and is just one of a series of events taking place in the capital on the weekend of August 3 and 4.

An eight-mile free cycle around the city’s iconic landmarks is also taking place as well as a Grand Prix for aspiring youngsters and the London-Surrey Classic featuring some of the world’s best riders.

But the reasons behind signing up are two-fold for King as he also looks to raise money for CLIC Sargent after seeing first-hand the effect cancer can have on people.

“My wife Claire was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and it is about giving something back,” said King, who runs his own geophysical support company.

“It was quite serious, she is just going back in for her six-month check up shortly and hopefully there will be no recurrence. It was tough but we are a strong family.

“I said I wanted to raise money for a cancer charity. I am a scientist and I am interested in all the research that goes into cancer research.

“I had a target of £1,000 but I’ve already exceeded that and I’m hoping to make between £2,500 and £3,000. As far as I’m concerned all money goes towards researching cancer.

“I wanted to do something that was a challenge that I could also use as an excuse to buy a new bike.”

Organisers are aiming to make the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 the largest charity fundraising cycle event in the world, with the route taking place on closed roads through the capital and into Surrey’s stunning countryside.

Closely following the route of the London 2012 Olympic road race, the course will feature leg-testing climbs made famous by some of the world’s best cyclists – who will take to the road later that day on August 4.

And King added: “I was an avid follower of the cycling at the Olympics and we went to the velodrome. I’ve also stood at the side of the road race many times in Britain and France.

“The idea of cycling through London on closed streets and finishing on The Mall is just amazing.”

Prudential RideLondon takes place on 3 & 4 August. If you’re inspired to ride, visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk