Team Systems programmer completes charity off-road unicycle ride

Rob Northcott, head programmer at fast fit computer specialists Team Systems, has completed the demanding 50 mile Dartmoor Bicycle Challenge 2011 on a unicycle as part of a fund raising campaign for Cancer Research to support colleague Matt Bateman who is currently seriously ill with Hodgkin’s Lymphona.

Northcott recorded a time of 4:37 hours with an average speed of 10.83 mph on a wet and windy morning at Colypool, Plymouth. The challenge followed the course of the Sustrans Cycle Route 27 up to Yelverton before continuing around the Burrator Reservoir and uphill to Princetown (home of Dartmoor Prison) then across the moor to Two Bridges before returning to Plymouth.

Northcott, Team Systems managing director Steve Greatrex and all staff at team expressed thanks to those who sponsored the demanding challenge. Greatrex added: “To ride 50 miles across a mixed course including rough terrain is demanding enough for a competitive cyclist but to attempt the course on a Unicycle takes that commitment to the next level of sporting dedication and everyone at Team is extremely proud of Rob and what he has achieved to support Matt.” The company is still taking charitable donations.