Group completes charity ride on six-person tandem

22 September 2025

Tony FisherHertfordshire

The Hoddesdon Round Table also carried out other challenges, including a pedalo fundraiser and walking a million steps between 10 of them

The Brain Tumour Charity A group of men in shorts surrounding a very long tandem capable of carrying six people. The bike is sitting on a trailer and there is a car in the background. — The Hoddesdon Round Table also carried out other challenges, including a pedalo fundraiser and walking a million steps between 10 of them

A group of friends have cycled together 105 miles on a custom-made bike, capable of carrying six people, to raise more than £22,000 for charity.

The men from the Hoddesdon Round Table rode from the Hertfordshire town to Norwich over the weekend in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity.

On their arrival at the Louis Marchesi pub at 12:30 BST on Sunday, they thanked "an amazing support team" and "incredible engineers", as well as family and friends for their "heartfelt" support.

The group of 11 riders raised funds after their friend, Paul Martin, was diagnosed with an astrocytoma brain tumour in 2021.

The custom-made bike was made by another Round Table more than 30 years ago and is mostly made up of motorcycle parts

The Brain Tumour Charity A very long bicycle capable of carrying six people resting against a park bench. There is a metal fence and trees and bushes in the background. — The custom-made bike was made by another Round Table more than 30 years ago and is mostly made up of motorcycle parts

Mr Martin's close friend Andrew Waddington said that steering was the hardest part and "going into corners you have to be upright to make it work, it's not easy".

Mr Waddington, who came up with the challenge, said the ride had been about five months in the planning, and the bike had taken a lot of mechanical fixes.

Another rider, Tom Culley, added: "It is a cause which is incredibly close to our hearts.

"It was a bonkers idea, but there was no reason why we would not take on this challenge."

They allowed 12 hours each day riding at about 8-9mph at top speed, avoiding A roads.

Mr Waddington said the first day was the most difficult, getting up past Cambridge, where it is hilly.

The whole rig needed each rider to be working in complete synchronisation, otherwise Mr Waddington said, "someone will end up in a hedge somewhere!"

Paul Martin said the group of friends had "just got to hold on tight and go over the top of the roundabouts along the route"

The Brain Tumour Charity Six men on a very long bicycle which has six seats and six sets of pedals. They are wearing yellow high vis jackets — Paul Martin said the group of friends had "just got to hold on tight and go over the top of the roundabouts along the route"

Mr Martin said he cheered on the group of riders from a support van, and it was his job "to take photos and wind them up a bit!"

He was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2021, and at the time, he had a four-month-old daughter.

During the lockdown of that year, he underwent treatment and "through every biopsy, round of chemo and radiotherapy, I've found a strength I didn't know I had," he said.

"I keep going for my daughter, now four, whose smile gives me purpose. For my amazing wife, who keeps us together. For my family and friends, and because every day is worth fighting for."

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