We are thrilled to be supporting our great friend Mel Nichols on her latest incredible ultra challenge, her Race Around Britain.
Mel is looking to set a World record for the fastest time handcycling around mainland Britain, a journey of around 7,000km!
Follow Mel’s progress live
Mel has been doing an amazing job, since setting out from Tewkesbury in Gloucester on August 7th and travelling the coast of Wales, and is already way past Carlise and Gretna, and along the Scottish coast south of Dumfries. At the same time, Mel is aiming to set a new record for the furthest distance ridden by handcycle, in a feat that sees her travelling from dawn to dusk.
Mel said: “Building on the format of Handcycle Britain – Land’s End to John o’ Groats world-record ride, I will look to ride from dawn and through to dark and often beyond each day to complete the gruelling total distance in the fastest known time.
As well as being the biggest distance I have attempted so far, unlike my previous performance challenge, I have chosen to take on this extreme race largely unsupported, with a ground support team working remotely from home around the UK and France.
It is important I take on this challenge in an ethical and environmentally friendly way, promoting sustainable greener travel and of course championing journeying by bike for all. My plan is to be connecting with communities and encouraging others to ride with me throughout my route; a collective antidote to the critically damaging increase of social isolation through the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Mel is one of the many athletes we work with to provide the winning comfort of Gel Ovations of Dimensional Gel to their sports equipment. Find out more about Gel Ovations Sports here
Progress
View here for a live update of Mel’s progress and links to the vital charities for which she is fundraising.
As well as the challenge itself, Race Around Britain is also raising awareness and funds for gynaecological cancer research, a cause personal to Mel, and to the lives of 21,000 women diagnosed with gynaecological cancer each year.
JustGiving – Ovarian Cancer Action
Ovarian cancer is the biggest gynaecological killer in the UK claiming the life of a woman every 2 hours. Many women still do not know the symptoms leading to late diagnosis. Ovarian Cancer Action are determined to drive up survival rates by funding world-class research into causes, treatments and prevention. Click here to donate.
JustGiving – The Eve Appeal
The Eve Appeal funds ground-breaking research into the 5 gynaecological cancers, focused on developing effective methods of risk prediction, screening and early diagnosis. To support this challenge and the vital work through these charities, please donate through the link above. Click here to donate.
