This Friday evening (ET) 20-year-old Lucy Hempstead is set to join her cycling team Toronto Hustle on a day-long virtual charity ride. Hempstead will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for greatest simulated distance on a static cycle in 24 hours by a woman, which currently stands at 680 km. Brad Bradford, a Toronto city counsellor, is also involved with the event that is on track to raise the goal of $300,000 for the Michael Garrison Hospital Foundation.
Text continues below pictureHempstead will be joined by many athletes for the event which is hosted on Zwift. Last year Hempstead rode from Ottawa to Toronto and averaged over 30 km/h over the 420 km plus ride.
“Struggles with mental health have been felt by so many of us during the pandemic and this event is about bringing attention to the effects it has had on all of us,” Hempstead says. “By riding for 24 hours, it is my goal to raise awareness for sport as an outlet for the stress so many people have been dealing with while also raising money for mental health supports at the Michael Garron Hospital.”
Athletes familiar with the Zwift platform can easily join the 24 hour action this weekend – find out more here.
