A Sidmouth man is set to embark on the bike-packing adventure of a lifetime - 1,800 kilometres of thigh-busting pedal-pushing from Devon to the Czech Republic!

Czech-born Jiri Hovora (AKA 'George') will leave on June 28 to sail acros the channel from Plymouth the next day. Apart from that, his entire journey will be astride his trusty 'steel horse' (or carbon fibre in this case). The father of four is making the incredible journey to return home to his family. They all lived in Devon between 2006 and 2018, but then George's wife and four children moved back to the Czech Republic. When he arrives there, they will be reunited as a family and he will look for a new job.

George's incredible journey

Packing a tent and a hammock (somehow) into his frame bag and seatpost bag, the lithe 40-year-old embodies the saying, "Take what you need, leave what you don't". No luxuries afforded. A phone for navigation will be powered by a single powerbank. A depressingly small percentage of the hold capacity, in fact just one of his handlebar bags, is dedicated to food.

Relying on his 240km/week cycling commute as training, and his hand-picked components skilfully hung on a super lightweight frame, George intends to pedal an average of 100km a day, hoping to arrive in hilly, rural V Mlýnkách in Jesenik,150km north of Hranice, in time to meet his family at a Scouts summer camp event between July 18 and July 24.

And that's what it's all about - Scouts!

Why George is raising money for the Scouts

Having worked in mental health at Exeter's NHS Devon Partnership Trust for the last eight years, George has seen many mental issues stem from instability in childhood. Studies have found that young people involved in Scouts or Guides have better mental health in later life (Dibben, Playford & Mitchell, 2016).

Founded in 1907 by British Army lieutenant-general Robert Baden-Powell, the Scouts movement focuses on friendship and teamwork, helping young people develop skills for life. In recent times too, their work, forced online, has helped kids communicate and deal with lockdown. So George, whose kids are all keen Scouters, felt this was an opportunity to give something back.

He said: "I had the idea before Christmas, I parked it for a while, then my wife suggested the same idea completely independently. I knew it was meant to happen!"

In a massive international fundraiser, the Sid Vale Scouts have joined forces with the Scouts in Hranice. With both clubs desperately raising money George aims to 'close the gap' between them. He hopes to call in to Scout groups en route and, as he has done in Sidmouth, offer bike repair and hammock-constructing lessons to kids.

With various fundraising targets, the Scouts hope to offer activities ranging from group activity days to a UK expedition to Czech Republic depending on the funds they can raise.

You can help this fantastic cause, help motivate George, and help our youngsters develop life skills.

Make a donation at the project's GoFundMe page.

All other info or corporate sponsorship opportunities, contact: [email protected]

(For the bike geeks amongst us; George rides an 11-speed Cervélo carbon fibre frame, Ultegra groupset, Apidura luggage comprising frame bag, seat post bag, top tube bag, saddle bag & 2x handle bar bags. He carries a Goretex jacket and waterproof leggings atop a cyclist bib and cleated shoes with rain covers.)