Famed penny-farthing duo delay their mammoth trip but plan to keep on rolling

Two men famed for their penny-farthing riding antics around Henley have had to postpone a mega trip from Land’s End to John o’ Groats until 2027 – but are still keen to go.

Matt Richardson, 59, of Deanfield Avenue planned to take on the 900-mile journey in April with his friend Bill Pollard, also 59, of Deanfield Road.

But father-of-two Mr Richardson, who battled cancer in 2022/23 and went through a ‘brutal’ term of treatment for it, says he is not quite yet fighting fit for such a mammoth undertaking.

It can take someone recovering from cancer and its treatment about five years to fully recover their stamina.

“Anyone who’s had cancer knows everyone is unique and we all have our own responses to the same treatment,” Mr Richardson said.

“Some people in my position aren’t able to do any sport or exercise at all, and some are able to do more.”

The pair’s endeavour will involve strenuous work over several consecutive days – and requires about eight weeks of targeted training prior to the challenge.

“That’s eight weeks starting from your best, and I’m not where I need to be,” Mr Richardson said.

“Before I got ill, I used to do Ironman [challenges], so I’m very aware of what I need to be able to do to have a chance of managing Land’s End to John o’ Groats.”

The year-or-so postponement gives the pair time to review the situation as time passes – they are not locked in to completing the challenge in April 2027, or any set date.

“I’ll just have to see how things develop because there’s no manual,” said Mr Richardson. “You plan things around ‘the new you.’ It can be very frustrating.”

In the meantime, the pair continue to go out and dazzle the public on regular rides around Henley.

“It’s been a constant source of joy and amazement, the level of interest people show,” said Mr Richardson.

The pair plan to press on with other fundraising activities too – still in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, which has helped Mr Richardson greatly.

He began riding the iconic penny-farthing bicycle after his illness made endurance cycling impossible.

Mr Richardson was advised by doctors to consider what he could do instead of this which still provided him with what he loves about cycling.

‘On a whim,’ he went to watch the Penny Farthing Championship in Hillingdon and ended up buying his own penny-farthing.

The first time he rode it through the streets he was ‘absolutely terrified’ but enjoyed the level of intrigue it sparked and all the social interactions arising from this.

To keep adding to the pair’s fundraiser, supporting their endeavours and Macmillan, visit justgiving.com/page/pennyLEJOG