MOST Southampton residents planning to visit Barcelona would simply book a cheap flight.

That is unless your name is Lee Reynolds. He will be using pedal-power to cycle more than 1,000 miles to the Catalonian capital.

Having cycled the 1,040-mile journey from John O'Groats to Lands End in 2006 to raise money for charity, the 29-year-old decided he needed a bigger challenge.

Now, with friends Richard Prowting and Michael himself to the limit travelling across France and the Pyrenees.

The friends will take to their saddles on April 3, leaving from Saints football ground, and hope to arrive at the Mediterranean port's Nou Camp football stadium on April 17.

Their plan is to cover approximately 100 miles a day which will be made more difficult as they are carrying more than 40 kilos of camping equipment during their journey.

Lee, from Bursledon, an events organiser at Southampton University, said: "I got itchy feet after the last one and wanted to try something bigger.

"We have to go through the Pyrenees, which touches on the Tour de France route, with some really nasty climbs. I can't wait to get stuck in.

"We are clocking up the mileage already and doing about 80 miles of training each weekend as well as cycling to work everyday to prepare for it.

"Hopefully we will raise £4,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust."

The friends have no exact route planned but are hoping to arrive in Toulouse, in the south of France, on April 10.

Lee was originally inspired to raise money for the charity in memory of Emma Jones, who died from cystic fibrosis aged 19 nearly four years ago.

His sister-in-law Laura, who dates Saints midfielder Andrew Surman, was best friends with the Hamble teenager and the strong family connection inspired Lee to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Lee is looking to raise as much money as possible for the charity and can be sponsored by visiting www.justgiving.com/renster.