SOMERSET NEWS: Round-the-world unicyclist gets new tyre – after 5,000 miles!

HAVING to buy a new tyre might not sound all that challenging – but it is when you need a three-foot diameter one for your unicycle and you are in the middle of the former Soviet Union and your Russian isn’t very good!

Ed Pratt is currently in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, which got its independence during the demise of the Soviet Union, and having unicycled his way across Europe and parts of Asia he knew he needed to give his machine a new tyre.

“But with my wheel having a three-foot diameter it is not just a matter of popping down to the local bike shop to pick one up!” he joked.

Ed got in touch with Unicycle.com UK who came to the rescue by getting him one shipped out to him in Bishkek along with a couple of new tubes.

“I installed it today and it feels great,” said Ed. “Thank you Roger and the rest of your team for your support."

PHOTO - TOP: Ed Pratt on his round-the-world trip.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Ed with his brand new unicycle tyre.

“If my tour has inspired YOU to learn to unicycle, please check out Unicycle.com UK’s webpage on getting started.

“This is a great place to begin if you want to ditch that training wheel and learn to ride a proper cycle!”

Ed set off from Somerset in March this year at the start of an 18,000 mile round-the-world cycle ride in aid of the School in a Bag initiative which is part of the Piers Simon Appeal charity based at Chilthorne Domer, near Yeovil.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Ed Pratt before he set off from Chilthorne Domer

He is hoping to raise in sponsorship £7,500 which will be enough to fund 500 school bags which will then be distributed to poor, orphan, vulnerable and disaster-affected children throughout the world with equipment and resources that will enable them to write, draw, colour, calculate, express themselves and above all learn.

Ed has so far had an amazing journey and has so far crossed Europe and is now making his way through the massive continent of Asia.

The round-the-globe route is expected to take two years to complete, so he could be arriving back at Chilthorne Domer in around March 2016.

He still has a huge distance to cover travelling down through China, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, across the USA and then back up through Spain and France before returning to England.

If you would like to sponsor Ed – please go to this link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WorldUnicycleTour .

Tags:
News.