Tandem Men set a world record

A hero’s welcome awaits Canterbury’s most adventurous cyclists on Saturday as they arrive home after riding around the world on a tandem.

John Whybrow and George Agate – known as The Tandem Men – are on course to complete an extraordinary 18,250-mile journey and set a world record.

The pair left Canterbury last June and have ridden through 29 countries and across six continents.

But no destination will surely be sweeter than the city’s Buttermarket, where a rapturous and emotional greeting awaits them in the afternoon from family, friends and supporters.

The cyclists are expected to be back on British soil this morning (Thursday) after an overnight ferry crossing from St Malo to Portsmouth.

From there, they cycle to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, one of the three charities they are supporting along with Porchlight in Canterbury and Water Aid.

On their final leg of the journey from London to Canterbury, they will be accompanied by members of Canterbury Velo Club.

The pair’s achievement will not only be a remarkable feat of physical endurance and mental determination, but set a world record for a round-the-world tandem ride.

And while they have enjoyed generous hospitality from strangers along the way, they have also endured many extremely uncomfortable nights in all weathers in their tiny tent, sleeping at the roadside.

The former University of Kent students gave up their jobs in Canterbury to fulfil a dream ambition and challenge.

Their custom- built Orbit tandem bike, nicknamed Daisy, has carried them and their luggage across some of the world’s roughest roads, with the help of cycle mechanics all over the globe.

“We’ve been amazed by the generosity of the people we’ve met around the world, said George.

“We’ve been given food, drink and beds in their homes, which were very welcome after many nights in our tiny tent.”

But they had many low points when their determination was tested to the limit.

The pair recalled spending the night in the trolley bay of a supermarket in Austria, soaked through, and being woken at 5am by the bakery staff, and struggling to find enough food and water in remote parts of Nicaragua.

“We really had to dig deep that day,” said John.

But now the pair say they are looking forward to home comforts – like bangers and mash – and resting their sore bodies.

A homecoming reception for them is being hosted at the Jolly Sailor in Canterbury at 7.30pm on Saturday.

For more information on their incredible journey and to sponsor them go to www.thetandemmen. com

The Tandem Men, John Whybrow (left) and George Agate, leaving Canterbury last June; the pair took on Australia’s longest straight road during their epic ride

The riders’ extraordianary round-the-world route