AN ULTRA cyclist who has conquered some of the toughest biking challenges in the world is gearing up to attempt a world record by riding from Lands End to John O’Groats and back – in just five days.

Chris Hopkinson, 45, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, will set off from Lands End on Tuesday, April 2 and is confident he will beat the previous Guinness World Record of five days and 21 hours to get him back there in less than five days.

Mr Hopkinson is no stranger to extreme competitions, having being named the Ultra Marathon Cycling Association 24 hour champion in 2012, and being the first solo Briton to finish Race Across America in 2005, where he completed 3,052 miles in 11 days, and 23 hours.

Although Mr Hopkinson, who is a music teacher and member of 32 Signals Regiment, Royal Signals (Northern) Band, said: “The world record attempt is basically just part of my training for the 2013 Race Across America in June.

“When I completed that ultra marathon I only had 90 minutes sleep a night – it’s a brutal race but the best in the world.”

The race is so difficult that of 26 competitors, 11 were hospitalised and one man died while attempting to complete it.

Mr Hopkinson yesterday (Wednesday, March 27) picked up a bike from Richmond cycle shop Arthur Caygill Cycles.

He hopes to raise awareness for the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund though his cycling, but any funds he raises will go towards the costs of competing in Race Across America.

Follow Mr Hopkinson’s progress on his blog at www.teamhoppo.co.uk.