Student to embark on 3,200 mile cycle challenge across the US

Marcus and Nick with their bikes in Deep Cove, British Columbia

Press release issued: 10 April 2013

A University of Bristol student will embark on the challenge of a lifetime when he cycles across North America next month, pushing himself to the limit as he clocks up over 3,000 miles and crosses three mountain ranges in 50 days. Self-confessed ‘bike nut’ Marcus Farnfield, a third year Chemistry student, aims to cycle from Vancouver in Canada to Washington DC on the east coast of the US.

Self-confessed ‘bike nut’ Marcus Farnfield, a third year Chemistry student, aims to cycle from Vancouver in Canada to Washington DC on the east coast of the US.

The epic trek will take in over 15 US states as Marcus and fellow cyclist Nick McCarthy aim to raise £5,200 – the equivalent of one pound per kilometre - for the Haileybury Youth Trust (HYT), a charity which works to improve the lives and prospects of impoverished young people in Uganda.

It will take over six weeks and the adventure begins on 14 May, with the brave cyclists hoping to cover 90 to 100 miles each day.

Marcus met Nick, who is from Australia, when they began a year-long exchange at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver last September.

The idea came about after Marcus, 22, heard about the epic journey of cancer sufferer Luis Laraia, who completed the same route but in reverse.

Deciding to follow in his cycle tracks, Marcus and Nick have been training in and around the scenic mountains and lakes of British Columbia.

Marcus, who will return to Bristol for his final year in September, said: “The challenge that we have set ourselves is huge. It has been a dream of mine for a number of years. If we make it to Washington DC it will be because of six weeks of teamwork by both Nick and I, plus all the people we meet along the way. A big thank you also our amazing sponsors, without whom we wouldn’t have made it to the start line.

“I’ve also been involved with HYT for a number of years so am excited to be able to support them, in tandem with fulfilling my dream.

“I am terrified of what lies ahead of us this summer but am reassured by the thought that if we believe in ourselves and keep pedalling, then we will get there in the end.”

The University of Bristol and the University of Queensland, where Nick studies, have both sponsored the trip through providing kit and bike bags.

You can follow Marcus and Nick’s progress via their blog. To make a donation, please visit their JustGiving page.