Paralympic gold-medallist gears up for 200-mile mountain bike challenge

A six-time Paralympian is set to embark on a 200-mile mountain biking challenge across the country. 

Jody Cundy OBE, who lives in South Manchester, will take part in ‘The Crossing’ next month which will see him cycle coast to coast. 

The seven-time gold medallist, who has a prosthetic leg, is preparing for the UCI World Para-Cycling Championships which will take place in Canada in January next year. He is also hoping to be selected to represent Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. 

The route will see Jody, 40, begin in Whitehaven on the west coast and make his way to Scarborough over three days. 

Riders in the challenge will tackle over 100km each day as they cycle through the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors, ascending over 17,000ft throughout the route. 

This is the first challenge of its kind for Jody, who is used to indoor track cycling. 

“The longest ride I've done so far on my mountain bike is about three hours, so The Crossing will be hard because of the sheer length of time in the saddle.” 

Jody was born with a deformed foot. His lower leg was amputated at age three and he was given a prosthetic leg. 

Speaking of how far prosthetics have come over the years, he said: “I look back at the legs I used to wear and compared to the ones available today they are very archaic.” 

"Having a prosthetic leg actually motivates me to do more, especially being in the position I am, where I'm kind of a role model to other amputees and disabled athletes.” 

The cyclist has a special leg with an aerodynamic blade for his track events but will be wearing his regular walking leg for The Crossing. 

Speaking on why he decided to participate in the event, Jody said: “I was looking for different things to do this summer because the track cycling season is during the winter.” 

“Going round and round the Velodrome in Manchester is good fun, but it can get a bit monotonous having done it for 12 years – that's how long I've been on the Paralympic GB squad." 

Jody has won several accolades in track cycling, including four Paralympic gold medals and a world record, but only came to the sport in 2005 after previously competing as a swimmer, where he won his first three golds. 

The athlete is one of small number of people to have competed in two Paralympic sports. In 2017 he was awarded an OBE for his services to cycling and swimming. 

The Crossing is organised by Rat Race Adventure Sports. Founder Jim Mee said: "I really admire Jody for his willingness to take part and we couldn't be happier he'll be joining us.” 

"At Rat Race we believe you can do almost anything if you put your mind to it and he is a shining example of that.” 

The challenge will take place between 26 and 28 July and there is still time to enter. https://ratracethecrossing.co.uk/