Father and son take on LeJog for the record

Robert and Jim Ball on the tandem tricycle

Father and son take on LeJog for the record

On 13 June 2014, Kevin Ball and his father Jim will be undertaking the journey from John o'Groats to Lands End by tandem tricycle for an official Guiness Book of World Records attempt.

Jim, who was a pitman for forty years, will be 77-years-old when the pair take the challenge on and is determined he will be pedalling all of the near-900 miles. The journey has been officially recognised by Guinness World Records as an attempt by the oldest person to cycle End to End on a tandem tricycle. .

Jim is an avid cycling enthusiast who started by riding a fixie with no brakes in the pit villages of Northumberland. Over the years, the father and son team have toured round most of the UK, including an attempt to complete LeJog in 2006. On that trip, Jim suffered campylobacter after 800 miles and had to pack up. To father Jim, LeJog is unfinished business which he is determined to tick it off his 'bucket list'.

The men will be completing the ride to raise funds on behalf of the Katharine House Hospice in Stafford where Margaret, Jim’s wife (and Kevin’s mother) was a resident for a short period before her death from stomach cancer in January 2013. All money raised will go directly to the hospice, which is run wholly on charitable donations.

In accordance with the requirements of Guinness, the duo are required to provide as many witness testimonies as possible.

We would be flattered if other members would want to meet us in whatever capacity along the way. Dad knows he is going to find it hard at his age especially with the death of my mum still raw. Joining up with Cycling UK members along the way would make it a truly memorable journey and give him the strength and fortitude he will need to complete it."

Kevin Ball

You can find Jim and Kevin's itinerary below. They would also be grateful for witnesses at the start and the end of the ride.

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