Project Enduro team face endurance test
The team behind Project Enduro – the designers and manufacturers of prototype specialist four-wheeled downhill mountain bikes - are facing 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.
Nathan Stephens is looking forward to the challenge.
"I am thrilled to be a part of this world record attempt with Project Enduro," he says. "When the Project Manager Calvin Williams asked if I wanted to join the team I jumped at the chance. It came at a time in my career where I needed another challenge and this was the perfect opportunity to test myself in a completely different way and learn a new set of skills. The first time I sat in the gravity bike I fell in love and knew that I wanted to do it but the thought of continuously going downhill over 24 hours made me a little nervous, only because I like my sleep! All of the proceeds from this event are being donated to Disability Sport Wales which for me is the icing on the cake, as if it wasn’t for them this opportunity would have never come about."
"We are really pleased to see Gower College Swansea developing an inclusive project which should enable disabled people to experience mountain biking," adds Disability Sport Wales Executive Director Jon Morgan. "Wales has a fantastic natural environment and it is important that we ensure there is access to outdoor activities such as mountain biking. We are grateful to Project Enduro as, hopefully, this project will become part of the mainstream offer across the nation."
Donations to Disability Sports Wales can be made here at www.justgiving.com/disabilitysportwales
If you would like to add your name to our list of people interested in buying a four wheel bike, then please contact us through our website: www.projectenduro.co.uk
Photo: Calvin Williams with Nathan Stephens and Andrew Jenkins (taken by Adam Davies.)