THE grieving cousin of a Hampshire sailor who lost his life in the Atlantic is gearing up for a gruelling 1,000km bike ride in memory of him.

Dan Williams and will pass through three countries in an epic cross-European ride from Spain to Britain with friend Ollie Matthews.

The pair, both from Totton, are riding to Southampton from the Spanish city of Santander on their Port 2 Port 1000 ride in memory of Dan’s cousin James Male.

Daily Echo:

James 22, from Romsey, (pictured above) was part of a crew of four who went missing in the mid-Atlantic last May.

They were sailing back to Southampton after taking part in a regatta in Antigua when their vessel, the Cheeki Rafiki, capsized 720 miles east-north-east of Nova Scotia.

A search was initially called off but was then restarted following a UK petition signed by more than 200,000 people and pressure from the British Government.

But US Coastguards then found the upturned hull and a life raft still on board and no trace of James and his three fellow seafarers Paul Goslin, Steve Warren, both from Somerset, and Andrew Bridge, of Farnham in Surrey.

A Marine Accident Investigation Branch report has now found that the vessel capsized after its keel detached. It is believed that this may have been caused by previous groundings and subsequent repairs.

The cyclists are raising funds for charities the RNLI and the Rose Road Association.

Their journey begins on Wednesday, June 24, setting off from Santander, heading east to France the French before travelling north up the East Atlantic coast to St Malo.

From there they take a ferry to Portsmouth and cycle the final trek to Southampton.

It follows James’ parents Graham and Lorraine presenting five kayaks to the QE2 Activity Centre in Bursledon for use by adults and children with disabilities.

Dan, 21, is also riding to promote the importance of sailors carrying locator beams on their vessels.

He said: “By doing so I am supporting the safety of others at sea.

"Obviously I am looking forward to this event and as the date draws nearer I am more and more excited. In the meantime we are still training hard and finalising plans, all of which is a lot of fun.”

Ollie, who is raising money for the Rose Road Association after recently visiting the charity’s Bradbury Centre in Southampton, added: “I am very excited for the ride, although there is still so much training and preparation to go yet.

"I am eager to meet lots of local people on our journey to help increase our fundraising while we are on the trip.”

They hope to complete the trip in 10 days. and have thanked Brittany Ferries for sponsoring their ferry crossings.

Sponsor them at uk.virgin moneygiving.com/team/port2port1000.