Ewan Dowes
30 hour World Record Static Cycle & 26 Hour Wattbike challenge!
Fundraising for St. James's Place Charitable Foundation
Story
After a very quiet 2019 on the fund raising challenges I feel now is a great time to test myself both mentally and physically again for the benefit of my chosen charities - Joining Jack, the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) and the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.
First up, fitting in with the National 2.6 challenge initiative, myself and my good mates Paul Sculthorpe and Jamie Jones Buchanan have already completed a virtual non-stop 26 hour ride on our Wattbikes. We started this on the 25th April at 6am and rode all the way through to 8am on Sunday 26th April covering just over 500 miles!!
The second challenge was originally going to be a cycle ride from Headingley to Toulouse (c.900 miles) in five days from the 26th May - 30th May, making it in time to watch the Leeds Rhinos play Catalan Dragons on the Saturday. The plan was and still is to show our support for my old team mate and friend, Rob Burrow, who is currently fighting MND.
Another reason for me to support MND was to honour another ex team mate and friend Adam Maher, who devastatingly lost his battle with MND in February this year.
So, initially myself, Josh Taylor, Sam Taylor and Paul Verity we’re supposed to be riding from Headingley to Toulouse on May 26 to May 30th, 900 miles in 5 days in time for the kick off between Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons.
Of course, due to current circumstances this got cancelled so we looked for an alternative. This was going to be a virtual cycle using Zwift where the 4 of us would ride in our own homes 1000 miles in 5 days, on the same dates we originally set out to.
Due to the uncertainty around Covid-19 and employment we have had to condense the challenge down to a weekend. Whilst putting the wheels in motion for the 1000 mile ride we were curious as to how we could market it and raise as much money as possible in the new time frames. This led to another brainwave from Josh with the help of Google.
As it stands, the current Guinness World Record for the longest group static cycle is held by 25 people who cycled in a spin studio for 28 hours in December 2019. Now, whilst we cannot cycle in the same room, Josh figured through Zwift we could create a group of riders who would be willing to ride for 30 hours to break the record.
Josh has already emailed GWR to which he's not had a reply yet to see whether they would accept this as verification but when it’s on Zwift and traceable I don’t see how it can’t be. Either way, even if it wasn’t I would personally take satisfaction on us completing it and knowing we had beaten the current world record, official or not!!
As mentioned I will also be supporting Joining Jack, a charity that is very close to my heart. I have had the privilege to spend quite a bit of time with Jack Johnson who is currently battling against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that currently has no cure! The quest for a cure goes on and the financial support is essential to aid and fund research to make that breakthrough!
In these unprecedented times it is extremely tough for everyone, including charities. I have seen first hand many fund raisers cancelled and income streams drying up, making it extremely difficult for charities to continue the fantastic and inspiring work they do.
If you could consider a donation no matter how small it is, it would be greatly appreciated and hopefully together we can make a difference and contribute towards finding a cure for the horrendous diseases, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Motor Neurone Disease.
Any funds that I raise personally will be matched by St. James’s Place Wealth Management. The matched amount goes to the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation and the funds I raise will be split between Joining Jack and MNDA. Therefore you will be helping so many more great causes with your kind donation. The themes the SJPCF supports are Children’s charities, Hospices, Cancer Charities and Mental Health.
Thank you for your support. I hope you all stay safe and well.
Best Wishes,
Ewan
