Endurance cyclist Chris Hopkinson (47) from Richmond, N. Yorks has retained his World Ultra Marathon Cycling Association 24 hr title in the US at Bike Sebring 2014 today Sunday (16 Feb, 2014). He cycled 468.1 beating the nearest rival by over 27 miles.
This event took place at Sebring International Raceway, 113 Midway Dr, Sebring, FL 33870, United States at it ran over the 15th and 16th. February 2014. He established his title after cycling over 432 miles in 24 hours non stop in February 2013.
Chris, who lives in Richmond, was a late starter in the cycling world when he began to cycle to work at the age of 31 in 1998. Prior to that he led a relatively sedentary lifestyle, but with a new found love of cycling he was soon racing in time trials all over the UK. Chris retired from cycling in 2007 and only returned again 18 months ago, with the idea of completing the coast to cost Race Across America (RAAM) in 2013. He completed RAAM in 2013.
He is currently a member of 32 Signal Regiment, Royal Signals (Northern) Band and works as a peripatetic music teacher for Durham County Council. Chris currently lives with his girlfriend Jenny Bonham and his two children. Jenny, his Crew Chief, organising the logistics of the race for Chris.
Chris is the current Ultra Marathon Cycling Association 24hr World Champion, having cycled over 432 miles in Bike Sebring, Florida, USA earlier this year. He also competed in the 3,000 mile coast to coast Race Across America (RAAM) in August.
In 2013 Chris attempted to beat the current Guinness World Record for cycling from Lands End to Jon-O-Groats and back. He had to abandon his attempt due to the unseasonably low temperatures and high winds.
Chris’s schedule for 2014 looks like this:
50 mile Cycling Time Trial (CTT) – May
Race Across America (RAAM) – June 10th
UK National 24 hr – July 19th/20th
Tour of British Columbia, Canada (5145 km) – July 27th
12 hr Cycling Time Trial (CTT) – August
Burton and District Cycling Alliance (BDCA) 100 – last weekend in August
California 24hr – November