Multiple Guinness World Record holder Neil Laughton prepares to lead a team of cyclists across the world’s most mountainous region, raising funds for a remote school
A British team of adventurers is about to embark on a daredevil cycle ride in the Himalayas to raise money for a school while setting a new record for the world’s highest bike ride.
Serial adventurer Neil Laughton, 60, who has previously climbed Mount Everest with Bear Grylls, will lead a team of five up the Putha Hiunchuli mountain, North West Nepal.
Departing the UK on August 31st, Laughton expects the climbs to take 15 days while the rather speedier ride back down will last just three.
Currently, the Guinness World Record stands at 7211 metres and is held by two German riders. However, the peak of Laughton’s team is heading for, is 35 metres higher.
“I’ve spent much of the past few weeks on a treadmill with a Brompton bicycle strapped to my back getting ready for this challenge.
“This is just the sort of adventure I enjoy,” adds Laughton. “A big physical and mental challenge, travelling to a beautiful and remote location with close friends and also raising money for a very good cause.
“It will also be great to take the record off the Germans.”
However, Laughton and his team say there is also a much more serious reason for their mission which is to raise funds and carry out building work on the struggling Tensing Norgay school in Nepal.
“The people of Nepal have always treated us with incredible kindness. So when I saw the condition of its dilapidated school where 70 children were trying to learn in a freezing cold building with no insulation, proper flooring and very little furniture, I was appalled and felt moved to do something about it.
“We’ve been improving the building’s insulation and heating. We have also added solar panels to the roof. So far, we’ve raised £15,000 and we’ll use it for further improvement and also install internet access and provide IT training and 10 laptops for the children.”
Laughton, who lives in Henfield, Sussex, previously attempted his cycle ride in 2022 but the team’s effort was thwarted by a severe storm.
He expects the challenge to be hard but, weather permitting, believes it will be successful. The team took part in a gruelling training programme as part of the preparation for the expedition.
“All members of the team have been working hard to prepare for this demanding expedition by hiking up the hills of the South Downs with our bikes and riding down again.
“We have also all undergone an intensive programme of pre-altitude training in The Altitude Centre in London.
“The training involved 20 hours on an inclined treadmill, carrying the bike and wearing a mask that simulates high altitude by taking the oxygen levels down from 21 per cent to 9 per cent.”
The team will be riding British made bikes including Brompton, Moulton and Vaaru.
Laughton currently holds four Guinness World Records, one for the World’s Highest Dinner Party on Mount Everest as well as three involving record-breaking penny farthing rides. He hopes to gain five more during 2024.
Laughton’s bestselling book Adventureholic: Extraordinary Journeys on Seven Continents by Land, Sea and Air is available to buy now on Amazon.
To donate to Neil’s crowdfunder for the Tensing Norgay school in Nepal, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/
MORE ABOUT NEIL LAUGHTON
Neil Laughton is a successful business entrepreneur, multiple Guinness World Record breaking adventurer and a former Royal Marine Commando, helicopter pilot and Special Forces Officer.
He is the CEO of Laughton & Co Ltd, Director of Floating Developments Ltd, Founder of the Penny Farthing Club and Vice-President of the charity Scientific Exploration Society.
Neil has a passion for travel, sport and adventure. He has organised and led more than 50 expeditions on 7 continents – by land, sea and air. He summited Mt Everest with Bear Grylls, circumnavigated the UK & Ireland on a jet ski and he piloted the world’s first road legal flying car on a 10,000 km journey from London to Timbuktu and across the Sahara Desert.
Neil’s new book ‘Adventureholic – Extraordinary journeys on seven continents by land, sea and air’ was published on 12th October 2023 and became an Amazon No. 1 Bestseller.