Teacher in 1886 penny farthing world record bid

News imagePenny Farthing End To End Richard ThodayPenny Farthing End To End
Richard Thoday said he liked riding a penny farthing as it put a smile on people's faces

A teacher is believed to have broken a 133-year-old record for riding a penny farthing bike from Land's End to John O' Groats in the fastest time.

Richard Thoday, from Matlock in Derbyshire, completed the 874-mile journey in four days and 12 hours.

The long-standing record of five days and one hour was set in 1886 by celebrated Victorian cyclist GP Mills.

Mr Thoday's record attempt has helped to raise more than £6,000 for Children in Need.

Guinness World Records will now review evidence before confirming the record.

Richard Thoday aimed to break the world record set by a Victorian teenager

The 55-year-old set off from Cornwall at 06:00 BST on Saturday and arrived in John O' Groats at 17:52 on Wednesday.

"I wasn't entirely convinced myself that it was possible but everyone else believed in me so I want to say a massive thank you," he said.

"It's been quite a rollercoaster ride over the past five days.

"It's been an extremely hard thing to do - not just for me but for the crew following as well."

News imagePenny Farthing End to End Richard Thoday in WiganPenny Farthing End to End
Mr Thoday averaged about 200 miles a day
News imageline

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