Accountant breaks world record on unicycle challenge

Management accountant Edd Stone has achieved a lifetime’s ambition by being named as a Guinness World Record Holder.

The 31-year-old, who works for Corsham-based high tech accountancy firm Purple Lime, has been named the fastest man to travel from Land’s End to John O’Groats on an electric unicycle in 11 days, 19 hours and 13 minutes.

It’s the fulfilment of a dream for Edd, who has always wanted to hold a world record.

He completed his trek during his two-week holiday between June 21 and July 3 this year. He submitted his evidence and his world record has just been confirmed as official.

“I’m so pleased and delighted,” said Edd. “I always like to challenge myself to do something different. When I got my unicycle about a year ago, I immediately thought what could I do which was the most ridiculously long journey I could think of? Then I thought why not Land’s End to John O’Groats?

“Initially I didn’t think it would be possible to do it. However, with careful planning I was able to work out a route and I set off. The unicycle is so addictive – it’s just an amazing way to travel.”

As his unicycle needed to be charged overnight, Edd planned his journey via AirBnB stopovers as well as regular B&Bs along the way.

During the journey, he had many adventures including:

• Breaking his charger at the beginning of the journey which nearly called an end to the trip – fortunately he was near his family home and was able to fix it.
• The footpath over the River Avon in Bristol was closed, which nearly meant a 40-mile detour. However, locals showed him a sneaky short cut.
• Seeing the countryside change gradually, with slight increases in civilisation (street lamps, road markings, hedges) from single-track lanes to the hubbub of city centres, followed by a gradual decrease back to countryside.
• Seeing the look on faces as he rode by in torrential downpours in Worcester dressed in a bin bag and hi-vis jacket.
• The friendly AirBnB hosts and pub landlords along the way who made every stop so friendly and welcoming.

Edd’s colleague Angela Ashworth, co-founder of Purple Lime, said: “We’re so proud of Edd – we all know he’s a bit mad when it comes to personal challenges.

“Last year he kayaked from Bristol to Woolwich for St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol during his holiday – so frankly we were not at all surprised when he said he was going to unicycle across the country. He’s an inspirational man who doesn’t believe in wasting a moment of his life.”

This latest challenge has seen Edd raise almost £1,200 for a charity of which he’s a trustee – Revival (Wiltshire Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre) based in Trowbridge.

The charity provides confidential counselling and support for victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. Edd’s fundraising page is at www.everyclick.com/eddstone