Ultracyclist completes charity ride but misses Guinness record

Ultracyclist Arvis Sprude of Kuldiga completed a seven-day endurance ride covering 3,257 kilometres, raising support for the Latvian SOS Children’s Villages programme “Beyond the Mountains,” LSM reported, citing Skrundas Television.

Sprude spent 119 hours on his bicycle during the ride, which was conducted in three stages. He had aimed to break the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance covered by bicycle in seven days, but the record attempt was unsuccessful.

The ride’s charitable goal was achieved, however. The “Beyond the Mountains” programme supports children who have lost someone close to them.

Sprude and his supporters created the “Be an Example” charity movement, which helps people in difficult circumstances through endurance rides and runs of varying lengths.

“We are very happy because this programme has operated all these years solely thanks to donations. Arvis’s support is wonderful. I think he has also inspired people, and many may have learned about the programme for the first time,” said Ilze Paleja, head of the Latvian SOS Children’s Villages Association.

Supporters gathered at Kalgju Street Quarter in Kuldiga about an hour before the finish to follow Sprude’s final kilometres online and prepare a welcome. Among them were dancers from “Bandava,” the dance collective he leads.

“In my personal opinion, it is something beyond comprehension. How can a person do something like that, despite all the obstacles?” said “Bandava” dancer Baiba Malniece.

Supporter Marta Straume of Riga called the ride impressive and said she had not heard of anything similar before.

Sprude had previously broken the Guinness record twice. His result from two years ago was surpassed this year by German ultracyclist Daniel Steinhauser.