Stoke-on-Trent dad plans early finish in 40,000km cycle challenge

Stephen Lewis-Brammer said he came up with the "crazy idea" before realising how far it would be

A father-of-three aiming to cycle the equivalent of going around the world is expecting to complete his charity challenge two years early.

Stephen Lewis-Brammer began his task in June 2020 to ride the 40,075km (24,901 miles) on an exercise bike in his kitchen in Stoke-on-Trent.

He expected it to take up to five years but is on course to finish in June 2023.

"There are days when I do not feel like it," Mr Lewis-Brammer admitted.

"There are days when I do not feel like dripping sweat and carrying on with it, but then you think of what it is for and you get on the bike and I am always glad that I have done a session."

Mr Lewis-Brammer aims to cycle up to 175km (109 miles) each week, fitting it in around his work and family life

Mr Lewis-Brammer fits the cycling in around his work and family life and aims to complete 150-175km (93-109 miles) each week.

He wants to raise £10,000 for Cancer Research UK as he said he had family, friends and work colleagues affected by the disease.

Despite having to take two weeks off recently for a muscle strain, he has already clocked up 19,074km (11,852 miles).

Having previously completed a 1,000-km (621-mile) running challenge, he said he had then come up with his latest "crazy idea".

Mr Lewis-Brammer said: "I thought I would ride my bike and ride around the world, but at that point I had not realised just how far it was."

His daughter Jessica said she was "really, really proud" of her dad and his challenge was "really inspiring".