Worthian completes world record bid
Thu, Sep 26th, 2024
Former Worth student and renowned adventurer Neil Laughton has completed his attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the highest bicycle ride.
Neil carried a folding Brompton bicycle to the top of Putha Huinchuli, a 7,246m peak in northwest Nepal (the 95th highest mountain in the world), without supplementary oxygen, and then rode his bike around the summit.
He was joined for the challenge by climbing partner Sirdar Nima Kanchha Sherpa and the pair are awaiting verification on their new record from Guinness World Records. The existing record is held by two Germans at 7,211m.
This is Neil’s fifth world record, having previously achieved the world’s highest dinner party on Mount Everest and three for riding penny farthings. He likened the challenge to carrying a bike on your back up Ben Nevis twice every day for 10 days with a third less oxygen in the air, followed by a 24-hour round trip to a summit on a par with Mt Everest, which Neil has previously climbed with Bear Grylls
He added: “It was a tough challenge, but we’ve had an incredible adventure.”
As well as attempting to set a new world record, the expedition also helped raise funds for the Tenzing Norgay School in the Nepali village of Karakot.
After finishing his education at Worth, where he was in Chapman House, Neil went on to become a Royal Marines commando, helicopter pilot and Special Forces officer. He subsequently became an entrepreneur, founding a dozen businesses in a variety of industries, and is currently focusing on building floating houses, running the Penny Farthing Club and mentoring business owners.
In recent times he returned to the School to deliver a Spencer Lecture to current students.
Many congratulations Neil on this latest achievement.
Worth likes to keep in touch with former students and regularly runs stories about their progress.
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