Cyclist to take on 215-mile challenge on one wheel for Arbroath community trust
A North Sea coast-to-coast cycling challenge will take on an extraordinary twist this June, as one fundraiser prepares to ride 215-miles - on a unicycle.
Fife-based engineer Will Homer is undertaking the event to raise funds for charities including Arbroath FC Community Trust.
No stranger to endurance challenges, Will has previously cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats and skied across Greenland. However, he admits the 2026 bp Coast 2 Coast (C2C) cycle on just one wheel may be one of his toughest tests yet.
From June 4-7, more than 50 riders and support crew – including Arbroath Community Trust chairman Barry Valentine – will take part in the challenge, crossing Scotland from Ullapool to Aberdeen, to raise money for The Archie Foundation, Instant Neighbour, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust as well as Arbroath Football Club Community Trust, Will’s own chosen charity.
The ride has been slightly adapted for him to avoid some of the harshest hills, due the added physical demands of riding a unicycle.
He said: “I have done the Coast 2 Coast ride before but thought I’d go a step further this year. “I used to ride a unicycle when I was about 10, and after 25 years I dug it out from my parents’ garage. I couldn’t believe I could still ride it.”
Now training on a larger, modified unicycle with a custom saddlebag and brake system, Will is preparing for what he expects to be three gruelling days. Unlike a traditional bike, the unicycle has no gears and demands constant balance, placing unique strain on the body.
Will explained: “Pedalling uphill is really hard work. It’s about half the speed for the same, or more, effort. I’ll be setting off before 5am each day and expect to be on the road for up to 12 hours.”
The route averages around 80 miles per day, meaning he will need to pace himself and take regular breaks, counter-intuitive compared to standard cycling.
Barry said: “It’s brilliant to have Will supporting the trust in such a challenging way. What he’s taking on is incredible, and it really captures people’s attention. The funds will go directly into supporting programmes that make a real difference to people in our community.”
You can offer support at www.justgiving.com/team/arbroathfcctc2cgroup