Time to crank up the pedal power

Leigh Robinson is leaving his home comforts behind from today to cycle 800 miles from Worcester and around Wales unsupported – a ride which is expected to take him 10 days.

Mr Robinson is hoping that the epic challenge will help him raise money for All-Terrain Bike Response Units/Search and Rescue (ATBRU) – of which he is the team leader.

He said: “We are a registered charity and I am undertaking the epic ride to raise much-needed funds to keep the team – who run a fleet of ambulance response mountain bikes – running and developing.

“The team is made up of volunteers who are trained by the West Midlands Ambulance Service. As such they receive no government funding for their important life-saving work in Worcester city and more importantly out on the Malvern Hills and surrounding villages.”

Mr Robinson will ride from Worcester to the Welsh border before meeting with the coast in North Wales, cycling across to Anglesey and then down the west coast of Wales, before following the south coast back to the border and Chepstow. Finally, he will be able to turn the bike north and head for home.

He will be camping and so has spent months putting the bike and equipment together so he can carry all he needs. Mr Robinson has also developed an electrical system that is powered from a dynamo on his bike to provide power for his mobile phone, sat nav and camera systems.

l Mr Robinson will be kee-ping a blog of his journey on Facebook called chasing the dragon cycle ride.

The page can also be used for pledges and messages of support.