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Swan pedalo canal challenge for charity


David Walliams swam the length of the River Thames. Blue Peter’s Helen Skelton travelled to the South Pole. And now two BBC Radio Leeds presenters are taking on their own epic challenge in aid of Sport Relief. Katherine Hannah and Adam Pope are attempting to travel the entire length of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in a pedalo shaped like a swan.

They plan to pedal the 127 miles in just 10 days, departing from Albert Dock in Liverpool on 14 March and arriving at Granary Wharf in Leeds on 23 March. They have named their unusual craft Grace.

Pedalling for Sport Relief

Adam says: “When our boss first suggested this challenge, we thought it sounded like fun, but now it’s getting closer, we’ve realised it’s actually going to be blooming hard work. We need to get in very fit physical shape.

“We’re going to the gym, not just a couple of times a week, but five times a week. And we’re training properly – we’re getting a sweat on and really burning some fat.”

Katherine continues: “Most people’s experience of pedalos is at the seaside. It seems like a good idea at first, but you quickly get tired. We’re going to be doing it for eight or nine hours a day for ten days! It is very hard on the legs – you pedal furiously, but you hardly seem to move.”

Neither of them has much previous experience of the canals. “Drinking in pubs next to canals is as near as I’ve got until now,” says Katherine.

Tunnels, locks and angry swans

And the pair’s first attempt at a practice run ended badly, when Grace started taking on water. “Grace is not always a good bird,” says Adam. “Sometimes she loses concentration and starts veering towards locks. Then she started to sink, so we’re facing repairs before we even get started.

“There are tunnels and locks to get through along the way. Plus, we’re afraid that other swans might see her as a threat and attack us.”

The presenters will be accompanied on their journey by two narrowboats, which will provide sleeping quarters on some nights. The boats will also pull the pedalo through the canal’s 91 locks, but, for safety reasons, Adam and Katherine will have to disembark and operate the locks.

Support along the canal

They will have plenty of support along the way. Adam says: “People are going to come out along the route and support us. At one school in Yorkshire, the children are planning to come out and line the canal. Plus, some celebrities will be joining us to help us pedal for a while.

“We’ve also contacted the Guinness Book of Records, as we’re pretty sure this is a first!”

Katherine says: “Everyone who hears about this challenge has been very supportive, but they also think we must be mad. It’s is a daunting prospect, but we’re both determined to get to the end.”

Adam adds: “I just keep imagining us crossing that finish line.”

Adam and Katherine will be broadcasting updates on their journey on BBC Radio Leeds, and there will also be coverage on other local radio stations, and on BBC Look North. You can also follow their Twitter account, @GracetheSwan.

Sponsor the pedalo canal challenge

Last updated: 24/02/2012

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