Greenwich Park, midday, 30th June 2013. For most of us, it's just your average lazy Sunday. For James Ketchell, the date, the time and the Greenwich Meridian Line will mark the beginning of an epic round-the-world cycling attempt.
James will have to cycle 150 miles every day to complete the challenge in under six months and meet his personal target. Although this sounds like a long way, breaking down the distance makes the 18,000 miles sound a lot more achievable.
As any running newbie training for their first marathon will be aware, the training miles you have to run sound colossal when all stacked up. Marathon runners average 16 weeks of preparation with four to five runs a week. Yet they'll only ever think in terms of the next eight mile run - eight miles closer to their goal.
While this sounds great in theory, it will be hard for James to look on the bright side of 150 daily miles on a bike. Even at a decent rolling speed of 20mph (remember that James is carrying all of his supplies and luggage), that's 7.5 hours of pedalling before you factor in the rests and loo breaks. Add a few hills, headwinds and punctures to the mix and you suddenly have a superhuman undertaking.
I'm a big advocate of unsupported cycle touring as it's yet another way that fitness opens up the world, whether its a gentle week riding along Portugal's Silver Coast or getting yourself to a mountain-top village in Lao PDR's remote north eastern corner.
Head down to Greenwich Park on Sunday for the big midday send-off. Take your kids, take your bikes, take your camera, because maybe it's not enough to think merely of training. Maybe we need our own adventurous sporting goals to really get the most out of our own efforts.
Follow the expedition : I'm sure James would like that
www.jamesketchell.net
James on Twitter: @CaptainKetch
Have a superhuman undertaking of your own? Great or small, let me know via Twitter: @ralot
