Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a group of men dressed as mice hurtling downhill in a piece of cheese.

Ham & High: Bike enthusiast Gavin and his biker team-mates are to race their motorised cheese dressed up as the three blind mice and farmer's wife. Picture: GAVIN CONWAYBike enthusiast Gavin and his biker team-mates are to race their motorised cheese dressed up as the three blind mice and farmer's wife. Picture: GAVIN CONWAY (Image: Archant)

A team of intrepid Highgate biker dads are getting over their mid-life crises by preparing to hurtle downhill at 40mph in a cheese-shaped kart in this summer’s Redbull Soapbox Race at Alexandra Palace.

Team member Gavin Conway – who along with Adam Kay and Phillip Marshall will be dressed as mice whilst six foot three inch tall bearded Frenchman Lodovic Robert will appear as the famer’s wife – said: “We’re very, very mature.”

Inspired by the three blind mice story, Gavin explained how cheese was a perfect choice for a racing vehicle with it being aerodynamic and fitting in with the group’s expertise in “cheesey” dad jokes.

Outlining their motivation, Gavin said: “We were looking for a thrill and a bit of speed. Our children also love the idea.”

Now being built in time for the timed race in July, Gavin and his team have been working late into the night over the past two months on their brie-liant machine at Adam’s workshop in Finchley Road.

Judged on creativity, an opening performance and race result, the four have one goal: “We’ll make it down. Whether we’ll be the fastest I don’t know, but we’re going to have fun doing it,” Gavin said.