A SCOTTISH unicyclist is preparing to take on a 215-mile coast-to-coast challenge for charity next month.
Fife-based engineer Will Homer is currently training for what he expects to be three gruelling days as he crosses from Ullapool to Aberdeen on one wheel from June 4-7.
It will be Homer’s third consecutive year taking part in the BP Coast 2 Coast (C2C) fundraising ride, but it is the first time he is attempting it on a unicycle.
“I have done the Coast 2 Coast ride before but thought I’d go a step further this year,” he said.
“I used to ride a unicycle when I was about 10, and after 25 years I dug it out from my parents’ garage. I couldn’t believe I could still ride it.”
Unlike a traditional bike, the unicycle has no gears and demands constant balance, placing particular strain on the body.
For Homer, the ride has been slightly adapted, avoiding some of the harshest hills, because of the added physical demands of riding a unicycle.
“Pedalling uphill is really hard work,” he explained.
“It’s about half the speed for the same, or more, effort. I’ll be setting off before 5am each day and expect to be on the road for up to 12 hours.”
He added: “On a normal bike, you try to stay in the saddle as long as possible. On a unicycle, it’s the opposite.
“You need to stop regularly just to relieve the pressure and restore circulation. It’s a completely different challenge.”
Homer, who is an assignment interventions engineer at BP, is taking on the challenge to raise money for the Arbroath Football Club Community Trust.
He said he was inspired to support the trust after seeing the work it does locally.
“It’s a fantastic charity doing important work in the community,” he said.
“I wanted to support something where you can really see the difference it makes.
“I don’t necessarily know what drives me. But if I can use that ability to endure something unusual and turn it into support for others, then that’s worth doing.”
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Chairman of the Arbroath FC Community Trust, Barry Valentine, said: “It’s brilliant to have Will supporting the trust in such a unique and challenging way. What he’s taking on is incredible, and it really captures people’s attention.
“The funds raised will go directly into supporting programmes that make a real difference to people in our community, and we’re hugely grateful for his effort.”
Every year, employees of BP North Sea vote for the charities which will benefit from the proceeds of the cycle. Their fundraising efforts are then match-funded by the BP Foundation.
This year, the challenge is raising money for four charities, including the Archie Foundation, Instant Neighbour, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust and the Arbroath Football Club Community Trust.
