Pair set for penny farthing cycle ride from Henley to Paris

The pair can sometimes be seen riding their penny farthings around Henley-on-Thames

A cycling enthusiast who is recovering from cancer is planning to ride to Paris on a penny farthing.

Matt Richardson from Oxfordshire was diagnosed with tonsil and lymph node cancer in 2022.

Along with his friend Bill Pollard, he is now training to ride a modern version of the Victorian bicycle from Henley-on-Thames to France in June.

The trip, in memory of his father who died from the same cancer, will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mr Richardson has taken part in bicycle-related fundraisers since 2007, including annual eight-day-long rides from Geneva to Cannes.

His love of penny farthings came in 2016, when a group of friends organised a lesson on how to ride them for his 50th birthday, which prompted him to buy one of his own.

Mr Richardson is riding in memory of his father, who died from cancer in 1999

But two years ago, Mr Richardson received some bad news.

"Unfortunately I was diagnosed with the same cancer [as my father] at pretty much the same age," the 57-year-old said.

After intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Mr Richardson was given the all-clear in 2023, but said his body was still recovering.

"Luckily for me, the treatment has improved in the past 25 years and currently I'm cancer-free," he said.

"As soon as I felt that I was improving, I decided to harness the positive response and plan a ride from Henley to Paris."

Along with Mr Pollard, he planned a route that will see the pair ride penny farthings from Henley to Newhaven, across the English Channel to Diepp and then on to Paris.

The friends, who have known each other since 1985, can be spotted training in Henley, sporting tweed blazers.

But Mr Richardson said the summer weather could affect his classic attire.

"As the ride will be in June, it'll hopefully be warm, so I have a vintage desert jacket and a pith helmet," he added.

"The French will love the absurdity.".

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