‘I Moscow to Russia for World Cup’, cyclist Henry’s journey
A Bath man has proved that he really is football-mad - by cycling 2,500 miles to the World Cup in Russia. Henry Duckworth, 25, quit his job and set off with his girlfriend, Lauren, in April. The pair travelled to Germany together, via France and Belgium, before he continued on to Russia alone, completing the trip in just under two months. Mr Duckworth, who had bought match tickets prior to setting off from the UK, arrived in Volgograd on June 14 - four days before England’s first match. His mum, Sue Cooper, said he is “very much enjoying the experience”. She said: “He’s having a great time - he’s even been on Russian TV. It’s something he’s always wanted to do, ever since he went to university. “He left the company he was working at in Frome in January and started planning. He’s going to be away for around 18 months in total, travelling all over the world.” Mr Duckworth used warmshowers.org, an online cycling community, to find accommodation and others to cycle with. Ms Cooper, 59, said her son has met some great people along the way - including someone who helped him get across the border into the Ukraine - but that she had worried for his safety at times. “I had some huge concerns - I wanted to be near him,” she said. “But, he’s posting on Facebook, and [the cycling app] Strava, and he’s running a blog. I can see what he’s doing. He looks happy and relaxed.” Mr Duckworth, who studied economics at the University of Birmingham, was joined in Russia by his brother on Monday. On his blog, Mr Duckworth said the experience of watching Euro 2016 in France inspired him to plan the trip.