Mike Murkin, who is Halstead's town clerk, will ride for 20 hours when he takes part in the National Road Rally.

The "scatter rally" will see 2,000 riders criss-cross the country as they try to take in as many control points as possible, while following their own planned routes.

"I'm really looking forward to it, said Mike, who lives with wife Susan in Clopton Drive.

"It will be nice to go for a good long ride, and raise money for charity at the same time.

"It's not the sort of thing you have to train for, but it will be quite a challenge to keep going through the night."

For safety reasons riders will have to take at least two two-hour breaks during the endurance rally. They also get a short break at each checkpoint, which are 25 miles apart.

It will be the third time the father-of-two has taken part in the rally.

He first entered in 1970. The 58-year-old initially gave up his motorcycle after marrying, but with daughters Helen and Claire grown-up he dusted off the leathers in 2004.

"I ride to work every day on my Honda CB500, so I'm used to all weathers," he said.

Mike will start from the Ipswich control point at 2pm on Saturday. He has mapped a route taking in East Anglia, Macclesfield, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

"I'll be riding on my own," said Mike, "but you normally meet other riders along the way."

The final control point, at Bletchley Park near Milton Keynes, has to be reached by all participants by 10am the next day.

The rally is organised by the Auto Cycle Union each year to raise money for Mencap.

You can sponsor Mike by visiting www.justgiving.com/michaelmurkin or by calling at Halstead Town Council's offices in The Causeway.

jonathan.schofield@sudburytoday.co.uk