The team behind Project Enduro, the designers and manufacturers of prototype specialist four-wheeled downhill mountain bikes, are about to face one of their biggest challenges to date.
Starting at 12pm on 17 June at Antur Stiniog, Snowdonia, they will attempt to set a new world record for the greatest number of vertical metres descended in 24 hours.
Led by Project Enduro manager Calvin Williams, the record attempt team comprises Paralympic athlete Nathan Stephens, paraplegic racing driver Brian Roberts and Simon Powdrill from Loco Tuning. All money raised from this 24 hour challenge will be donated to Disability Sports Wales.
Project Enduro is supported by the Welsh Government through European Regional Development Funding.
Managed by Gower College Swansea lecturer Calvin, in collaboration with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, the initial brief for Project Enduro was to design and manufacture two prototype four wheeled downhill mountain bikes (a mid-range model and an elite model) predominantly for use by disabled people.
“Our objectives were to create a product which is suitable for as wide a range of users as possible and which has been designed from scratch using technology familiar to the mountain bike industry, enabling improved performance in areas such as suspension, handling and stability,” says Calvin. “The bike has been developed taking into account feedback from over 40 riders ranging from 5ft to 6ft 2″ in height and from 50 to 120kg in weight. These include paraplegic athletes, amputees and able bodied professional riders.”
Supporters of the Project Enduro world record attempt include Hope Technology, Renthal, Disability Sports Wales, Polaris Bikeware, Nukeproof Bikes and LOCO Tuning.
“We have an amazing team and are keen to set a new world record for four wheel bikes that exceeds the current two wheel bike record,” adds Calvin.
Donations to Disability Sports Wales can be made via www.justgiving.com/
More information about Project Enduro can be found via www.projectenduro.co.uk.
