Chris set for trans-America marathon

CYCLIST Chris Last is gearing up for an incredible challenge . . .  crossing the United States by bike in just six days.

Chris, from Bramley, is part of an eight-strong team who are aiming to ride from California to Maryland, a distance of 3,012 miles, in a high-speed relay which will require each rider to maintain an average speed of over 20mph during half-hour stints on the road.

Their goal is to raise more than £30,000 for Help for Heroes.

Chris and his team-mates—including several elite and professional cyclists—will line up alongside more than 30 other teams aiming to smash the record for the Race Across America challenge, which crosses 12 states and involves 170,000 feet of climbing.

Chris (47) explained: “It’s a relay around the clock, with each of us taking turns on the bike and two support vehicles to carry the other riders.

“We will be crossing the desert in Death Valley, riding through the likes of Arizona and Arkansas and ending up at Annapolis, hopefully within the record time of five days and nine hours.

“That will mean an average of 23.3mph, which is a lot so we’re going to have to push the pace.

The race starts on Saturday and you can keep up with the team’s progress at www.raceacrossamerica.org. To sponsor them, visit www.bmycharity.com/strategiclions.