Friends to traverse length of UK on seven-person bike in record charity attempt
The university friends are aiming to raise £50,000 for Cyclists Fighting Cancer.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A group of university friends will attempt to break the record for cycling the length of the UK on a conference bike while raising thousands of pounds for a cancer charity.
The team, nicknamed ‘Magnificent Seven’, will ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End on a seven-seater bike, aiming to do so between May 22 and May 28.
They aim to raise £50,000 for Cyclists Fighting Cancer – a national children’s charity which provides lightweight bikes, tandems and adapted trikes – in the process.
One of the riders is Jeff Kapp, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2008 and said he cycled throughout his treatment.
“As an ex-elite cyclist there was no way I was going to follow the stock ‘rest and take it easy’ advice,” he said.
“I kept riding all the way through my cancer treatment and I am confident that I came through the other side in a much better way thanks to the exercise.
“Cancer is tough on adults, but so much tougher on kids, so supporting (Cyclists Fighting Cancer) was a natural thing for me to do.”
The group will meet the challenge by riding a 200kg seven-seated bike which averages six miles per hour – six riders will pedal while another steers.
They will do so with 14 core riders – the current record for the distance stands at 28 days, which the ‘Magnificent Seven’ hope to break by three weeks.
Mike Grisenthwaite, founder and CEO at Cyclists Fighting Cancer, said: “We are honoured that team ‘Magnificent Seven’ have chosen to support Cyclists Fighting Cancer in their Guinness World Record attempt.
“John O’Groats to Land’s End is an iconic long-distance cycle ride – and a tough endurance ride even on a standard bike, but it’s an even bigger challenge on a seven-seater conference bike weighing in at 200kg!
“Their wonderful fundraising effort will allow Cyclists Fighting Cancer to support more children and young people living with and beyond cancer across the UK.”
To find out more about the group’s record attempt, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JOGLEbyConferenceBike.