Friends break record for cycling length of UK and raise thousands for charity

A group of university friends have broken the record for cycling the length of the UK on a conference bike and raised thousands of pounds for a cancer charity.

The team, nicknamed “Magnificent Seven”, rode from John O’Groats to Land’s End on a seven-seater bike and completed the challenge in just five days and 21 hours.

A group of university friends have broken the record for cycling the length of the UK on a conference bike (Exposure Photo Agency Ltd/PA)

Two core teams of riders set off on Sunday May 22 and cycled in shifts throughout the day and night on the 200kg (441lb) seven-seater bike, finishing the challenge on May 28.

The group also raised more than £18,000 for Cyclists Fighting Cancer – a national children’s charity which provides lightweight bikes, tandems and adapted trikes.

The previous Guinness World Record for the same route travelled on a conference bike was set in 2010, by a team of 194 people taking more than 28 days.

Magnificent Seven team member Colin Bolton said: “Despite most of the team being experienced riders, it took a lot of mental as well as physical energy to keep going – especially through the nights.

“The generous donations and the truly inspiring work that Cyclists Fighting Cancer does to support children and families living with cancer kept us pedalling until the very end.”

Members of the team embrace after arriving at Land’s End (Exposure Photo Agency Ltd/PA)

Another team member, Jeff Kapp, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2008, said raising funds for a cancer charity was the “natural thing to do” as he had 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,” Mr Kapp 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.”

– For more information and to donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JOGLEbyConferenceBike