2019 Sponsorship: Record Attempt for Children in Need
Photo couresty of 4Seasoncreative
Keystone Financial Ltd decided that for 2019 they will sponsor an attempt to cycle from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in 5 days. Sounds doable? But this chap is planning to do it on a Penny Farthing!
Penny Farthing End to End was the brainchild of Richard Thoday.
“I have always had bicycles around the house. I have been racing competitively since 1999 and have tried all sorts from two-minute hill climbs up to 24 hour time trials. I have been involved twice in End to End record attempts, once as a crew organizer for a solo record attempt and once as part of a pair attempting the tandem record. Neither succeeded and so for me this is unfinished business!
In 2010 I entered the Great Knutsford penny farthing race on a whim. The race only happens once every ten years and brings together penny farthing riders from all around the world for an amazing 3-hour endurance race. I borrowed an original penny farthing and had just mastered getting on and off in time for the race. I came last but had such a wonderful day and made so many good friends that I wanted to carry on riding penny farthing. Not being able to afford to buy an original but having some design and making skills, I set about making my own. The design was picked up by unicycle.com who now manufacture my design and sell it worldwide. I have ridden and raced exclusively penny farthings for the last two years becoming national champion and winning numerous races in the UK and Europe.
Lands’ End to John O’Groats on a penny farthing is one of the longest standing, unbroken sporting records in existence. The record was set by a 19 year old rider in 1886 before cars were on the road. It took G P Mills just 5 days, one hour and 45 minutes to complete this journey, quite astonishing. Despite attempts since, no one has yet managed to beat this record.
Taking on a multi-day record like this is a major feat of endurance. I cannot do this without a crew. To keep me fed and clothed and equipment running well, I will need a crew close at hand for the entire journey as well as people collecting evidence to verify the record attempt for Guinness World Records.
I will be riding very long days in the saddle, potentially up to 20 hours, which means, for the crew to be able to rest etc, I need two crew vehicles. This is where Keystone Financial Ltd come in, providing the finance to equip and fuel this attempt and make it as safe as possible with the highest level of support. Without support, this attempt at the record would not be possible.”
Keystone Managing Director, Harriet MacKenzie-Williams was so excited to hear Richard’s ‘madcap’ plan, that she immediately agreed to sponsor him. “It was a no-brainer’ for Keystone”, she commented, “Richard is local to my home and office, he is doing this for great cause, and the sheer madness of it all just hit home with me”
“We like to sponsor local events, charities or sports and this just ticked all the boxes for us.”