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Andrew HellingaAustralian cyclist, Guinness World Record holder for cycling backwards for 24 hours
Country:
 Australia |
Biography of Andrew Hellinga
Andrew Hellinga is an Australian cyclist and Guinness World Record holder. He recently set a new record in the Guinness Book by cycling backwards for 337 kilometers. Hellinga rode for 24 hours straight, and all the money he raised from the event was donated to feed starving children in Zambia.
Hellinga began his unusual ride early in the morning on October 7, 2013, with the goal of breaking the existing Guinness World Record of 182 kilometers. He is a participant in the renowned charity project 'Challenge for Change', using his unique cycling endeavors to draw attention to the plight of hungry children in Zambia. In an interview before the ride, Hellinga stated that he aimed to complete 300 kilometers.
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At the start of his ride, Hellinga was accompanied by his father, who held a flag to show his solidarity with his son. Meanwhile, Hellinga sat backwards on his bicycle handlebars and embarked on his journey. "With your support, prayers, and financial assistance, we can change the lives of the poorest children in the world," said Andrew Hellinga.
Hellinga stated that he was inspired by his friend, cyclist Reid Anderton, who rode across the entire country in 37 days and also dedicated his ride to impoverished African children. In a tweet, Hellinga wrote, "On October 7th, I broke the world record for the longest ride on a bicycle backwards. 337 kilometers. Surely that's worth a few dollars?"
He only stopped during his ride once, at the 182-kilometer mark when he surpassed the previous record. Hellinga couldn't resist sharing his achievement with his teammates, who eagerly awaited his updates. Even after reaching his initial goal of 300 kilometers, Hellinga continued his ride, ultimately covering a distance of 337 kilometers.
This feat of endurance and coordination has been hailed as remarkable, considering the challenge of riding 337 kilometers in 24 hours while seated on a less comfortable bicycle seat - the handlebars. Despite the smile on his face, Hellinga undoubtedly faced difficulties during the ride.
Hellinga began cycling in his childhood and learned to ride backwards during his teenage years, hoping to impress girls. Over time, he realized that this strange style of riding came relatively easy to him - he could ride 100 kilometers without much difficulty. He believed that with proper training, he could ride even further. The idea of riding 300 kilometers to raise money for charity ignited Hellinga's passion and determination. In the end, he not only raised around $10,000 but also broke the existing world record in this extravagant and challenging form of cycling.
