Round-the-world cycling expeditions are all the rage at the moment, but we doubt anyone has tried it the way the organisers of the World Cycle Challenge are planning.
Starting in London on 16 September 2012, they’re hoping to set a new world record by leading a group of around 30 cyclists across 18,000 miles and 21 countries over nine months.
The difference to many such challenges is that it’ll be fully supported – the riders will be tailed by a specialist bike maintenance team and will be provided with tailored training, medical assistance and insurance, flights and ferries, transport of kit, communication equipment and meals. This means they’ll be left to do just one thing – ride.
Granted, this means covering an average of 100 miles per day for the best part of nine months, but at least they’ll be free of the burden of lugging equipment and the logistical nightmare of planning a global bike ride. It’s the brainchild of entrepreneurs Adam Gosling and Crispin Vitoria, who’ll both direct the challenge.
Personally I’m getting a bit jaded seeing all these ‘challenges’ and ‘adventures’ being promoted about, some at extortionate prices. Why can’t people just get up and go on the their own steam and just see how they get on.
This kind of scheme isn’t for the financially feint hearted at a mere £34,000 for the whole trip or just join one of the various legs from £1,436 – £9,576. Prices can be found on the site, but you’ll need to do a lot of searching.
To be honest you could have a lot of fun for under £2000 if you were the adventurous type who enjoyed your own company, but I guess there are people out there who like paying for others to take the strain.
We wish them the best of luck, but in the current climate I would be very surprised if they achieve a full compliment of volunteers at the figures currently proposed.