A group of University friends, team ‘Magnificent Seven’, will take on an incredible charity cycle challenge from 22nd – 28th May 2022, cycling 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End on a seven-seater bike in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record while raising awareness for charity, Cyclists Fighting Cancer.
Cyclists Fighting Cancer (CFC) is a national children’s charity, founded in 2005 to give new lightweight bikes, tandems and specially adapted trikes to children and young people living with and beyond cancer.
The riders aim to raise £50,000 for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, enabling more children to enjoy cycling –for mental health, exercise-based rehabilitation, and an enjoyable sociable activity.
Weighing in at 200kg and with an average speed of six miles per hour, the riders’ seven-seater conference bike is designed to allow everyone to sit socially facing inwards in a circle, with six people pedalling while one person at the back steers.
The current Guinness World Record for the same route travelled on a conference bike was set in 2010, by a team of 194 people taking over 28 days; ‘The Magnificent Seven’ aims to smash this record by completing the challenge in just 7 days with 14 core riders.
Mike Grisenthwaite, Founder and CEO, says: “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.”
Jeff Kapp, a member of team ‘Magnificent Seven’, says: “I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2008.
As an ex-Elite cyclist, there was no way I was going to follow the stock “rest & take it easy” advice. Thanks to Mike’s research, a forward-thinking oncologist and some very supportive cycling buddies, 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 CFC was a natural thing for me to do.”
For more info on the challenge and route, visit: cyclistsfc.org.uk/magnificent7
To make a donation, visit JustGiving: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JOGLEbyConferenceBike