Guinness world record for cycling John O’Groats to Land’s End on a seven-seater conference bike smashed by Sydenham man
A man has broken his own Guinness world record of cycling 865 miles on a seven-seater bike, raising £20,000 for charity along the way.
Ed Greig, 37, who lives in The Peak, Sydenham with his wife Natasha and child Osip, arranged the mammoth journey which saw 14 people take it in turns to cycle the unusual contraption along the famous route from John O’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall.
The total journey took five days and 21 hours, which smashed the previous record, also set by Ed, by 22 days.
Ed said he and his cousin came up with the idea to raise money for charity after his aunt passed away from breast cancer.
In 2010 they decided to do a big cycle, but wanted to it on “something more interesting”. So thev landed on the conference bike.
It was the first time a conference bike had been entered into the Guinness World Records for any record. It took them 28 days the first time round as they stopped off at various Cancer Research UK offices, which they were raising money for the first time round.
This time the team, made up of 14 cyclists and university friends of Ed. have so far raised £23,700 for charity Cyclists Fighting Cancer.
They cycled non-stop, taking it in eight-hour shifts and sleeping for four hours, then using a van to catch up with the bike.
Ed said they were so disoriented they were saying good morning to people at 9pm.
The charity helps children and young people living with cancer across the UK regain their physical fitness, improve mental wellness and reduce social isolation by giving them new bikes, equipment and support.
Ed said it is is a cause he believes passionately in after having lost several friends and relatives to cancer.
He said: “I organised and took part in the original record setting conference bike journey in 2010 so I knew I’d want to be part of this endeavour and break my own record to set a new Guinness world record.
“Having lost several friends and relatives to this terrible disease, I passionately support Cyclists Fighting Cancer’s mission to support children and young people living with and beyond cancer, with lightweight bikes, tandems, and specially adapted trikes.
“It was a gruelling challenge, but I feel incredibly proud to have been part of the team – and the generous donations to our fundraising efforts kept me going.”
Picture top: The team at the finish line at Land’s End, Cornwall (Picture: Exposure Photo Agency Ltd)