CfC World Record - Desert of Death

JP aims to break another world record to help raise money for children with cancer by cycling solo across the Desert of Death in China.

Jonathan Parker will be attempting to break the World Record for the fastest time ride on a bicycle from London to Paris. Jonathan is a National class time triallist with National titles under his belt and has wanted to compete in this challenge for a while. We are aware of an unofficial record of 21hrs and 30 mins and Jonathan will be attempting to do the same route in under 8 hours. This is the

current record attempt that we are aware of - http://www.donaldhirsch.com/records.html

To be directly comparable the same route will be used and that includes 190 miles of cycling, plus a 5hr ferry crossing. Jonathan has chosen C.F.C Cyclists Fighting Cancer to raise money for during his record attempt. By 33 Jonathan had lost his Mum and two Uncle's to cancer. This year his Dad died of cancer too. Cancer has hit Jonathan's family hard and he want's to help prevent others having to go through the same. CFC is an important charity doing a lot of good work. Here is some information on this great cause:

Cyclists Fighting Cancer (CFC) is a registered charity (1140017) founded in 2005 which provides a unique and highly effective way of helping kids with cancer through activity and exercise. We give new bikes, tandems and specially adapted trikes to children and young people who have been affected by cancer throughout the UK. The effects of the disease and its treatments in children are numerous; amputations, balance issues, physical weakness, coordination difficulties and lack of self esteem are just a few of the most common side effects seen in many patients. Exercise has been shown in numerous adult studies to be the single most effective way of improving both physical and mental wellness for people surviving cancer. We encourage cycling as the best form of exercise based rehabilitation especially for children because it provides all these benefits in a low impact, fun, sociable and exciting way. Cancer also causes massive disruption in families, therefore we also give bikes to their siblings, and in many cases their parents, in order that they can take part in an activity as a family once again after what can be years of hospitalisation and upheaval. We plan to supply another 500 awards this year which will take our total since we started in 2005 to over 2000 cases. In addition we are funding a dedicated research study with the University of Leeds to clearly illustrate the relationship between physical and mental well being and physical activity in children surviving cancer. Our main focus is raising awareness and providing a bespoke service to each individual applicant where possible. We operate totally on the kind support of the public and cyclists doing bike rides around Britain and across the world. All monies donated make a huge difference to our total fundraising effort and ultimately to the number of children affected by cancer we support. http://www.cyclistsfc.org.uk/about-cfc/

It will be particularly challenging for Jonathan who was involved in an accident a few years ago and broke all his limbs and lost 8 pints of blood. He was told he might not walk again and would definitely never participate in sports. Still pinned together with metal and suffering a lot of pain in training during the cold or wet Jonathan pushes his body to achieve his goals and this challenge will be the most significant yet!

Photos from CfC World Record - Desert of Death's post

31/05/2019

“Highway to Hell” is a fabulous article by David Bradford published in Cycling Weekly, that tells the story of Jonathan Parker's latest record attempt. Bradford estimates that JP may have shattered Guy Martin’s record had he not shattered his collarbone instead, describes the high speed crash, and the hellish extraction mission from China’s Desert of Death.

JP is recovering well and is pleased with the outcome even though it meant adding more plates and screws to his titanium collection! The reason JP set his sights on this formidable journey was to raise money for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, a wonderful charity making bikes for children affected by cancer ❤️🚴‍♂️❤️

THANK YOU to everyone who has already donated. We are delighted to have raised an astonishing £13,700 and would be thrilled to top £14K! If you meant to donate but did not have the chance, there is still time 👉https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/desertofdeath

Also, a massive THANK YOU to our sponsors and partners 🙏 ❤️🙏
Giant UK
c-bear bicycle ceramic bearings
Pedalcover Insurance
Cyclists Fighting Cancer
Matt Bottrill Performance Coaching
Cycling Weekly
Team Bottrill - Vanguard

03/05/2019

So the legs still work... - Jonathan P.'s 20.5 km bike ride www.justgiving.com/desertofdeath

24/04/2019

👉 Jonathan Parker STATUS UPDATE:

JP has been to hospital and has had confirmation of a broken left collar bone. It was a lucky escape - considering the crash was at 45kph!

We know he is in good hands with Shane Guinan as support crew. Knowing JP, a broken collar bone will not keep him down long.

Thanks for all of the well wishes for JP and donations for Cyclists Fighting Cancer. We appreciate your support 🙏❤️🙏

24/04/2019

👉 Jonathan Parker RECORD ATTEMPT UPDATE:

JP had a nasty high speed fall on a downhill sandy, windy section of road through the Desert of Death. He and Shane Guinan are now on their way back to Luntai for an X-ray at the hospital for what is a suspected shoulder fracture.

To say it is disappointing to have it all end like this is an understatement. The ride was going so well - JP had pushed hard over the first 200kms due to the bad road surface and the reasonably strong cross-head winds, knowing that when the road turned he would have a cross-tail wind for the last 200km.

Incredibly, he managed the harder first 300km of the ride at an average of over 41kmph!

We want to thank everyone for their support, well wishes, and donations during the ride today and throughout the entire campaign. We will keep you updated with the status of his injury.

If there is one thing I know about JP, it is he will be back, stronger than before, with another challenge to help children affected by cancer.
❤️🚴‍♂️❤️

24/04/2019

👉JP is now at at the 200km mark cycling the Desert of Death at an average speed of 40kmph. The road surface is appalling in parts and is doing a good job of knocking the teeth around in his head. He still doing battle with the crosswind.

All that said, he going strong, is climbing well, and is hitting nearly 70kmph on the downhills!

Go, go, go JP! 💪🚴💪

JP is undertaking this attempt to raise money for children affected by cancer ❤️🚴‍♂️❤️ We still have a little way to go to meet the fundraising target. Thank you to all who have donated today! To donate:
👉www.justgiving.com/desertofdeath

24/04/2019

Mad skills - here is JP eating a sandwich at 40kmph!

Jonathan Parker has cycled 150kms and temperatures are rising. Temperature is now at 22C. Road conditions in this area of the desert are very poor.

And he's still holding strong 💪💪💪

24/04/2019

Jonathan Parker has completed 130 kms in approximately 3hrs. The road through the Desert of Death is rolling and rough in patches and there is still a crosswind.

JP is enjoying a peanut butter sandwich! Go JP!

24/04/2019

Jonathan Parker has completed 100 kms of the road through the Desert of Death in approximately 2 hrs 25 mins. He is doing well, and feeling focused.

Keep it up, JP! 💪🚴 💪

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