You often hear about people travelling the length of the country – from John O’Groats on the North Eastern tip of mainland Scotland down to Land’s End – by various means to raise money for charity, but my guest this morning is planning to make the 967 mile trip by pushbike – in just 48 hours!
Gareth Sell is a Scout Leader from Pilgrims Hatch and an army veteran, and I put it to him that the challenge he’s set himself is impossible, but – incredibly – it’s actually been done before. According to the Road Records Association, Gethin Butler achieved the ride in just 44 hours, 4 minutes and 20 seconds in 2001! Gareth explained that he’d love to beat that record, but his main aim is just to complete the route – and having done other epic bike challenges before, including a 5,000 km ride from Sydney to Perth through some of Australia’s hottest and toughest terrains, he’s certainly in with a chance.
Gareth will be accompanied along the route by a minibus with a support team, and with no time for sleep I asked him about some of the safety issues affecting him, the team and other people.
Alongside the challenge Gareth’s raising money for UNICEF, and you can sponsor him – and find out more – at his website.
With thoughts about injuries, mechanical problems and sheer exhaustion I asked Gareth what his biggest worry is – and his answer took me by surprise!
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