World record bid by man from Weston to cycle for 280 hours without moving an inch

World record bid
Paul's aiming to pedal for 280 hours without moving an inch. Credit: Paul Magor

  • ITV News' Max Walsh spoke to Paul as he reached the halfway point of his challenge.

If you've got your mind set on getting in shape this New Year then you can take inspiration from one man from Weston-super-Mare, who is aiming to break the world record for the longest time spent pedalling on an exercise bike.

Paul Magor is set to break the record on Sunday 12 January, after clocking up a remarkable 280 hours at his local gym in Worle. The current world record for the longest time spent on a spin bike is 227 hours.

In the process Paul's aiming to raise tens of thousands of pounds for Weston Hospicecare.

His record-breaking bid comes with strict rules: he has to eat and drink and wash while on the bike, and pedal the equivalent of 20 kilometres - or 12 miles - every hour. Paul can take a five-minute break every hour, but can bank those five minutes if he pedals continuously through several hours.

Currently he's on course to break the record late on Sunday 12 January.

Paul is taking on his epic challenge at a gym in World Credit: Paul Magor

The event is taking place around the clock at the Worle Centre, the community-run sports centre and gym. Paul is being accompanied by regular spin bike classes that take place there.

Paul said: “This is a huge challenge and I have spent months trying to prepare my body for what it is going through.

“My legs are aching from the constant strain, but I have been blessed to have a lot of lovely visitors, supporters and witnesses come in to support me and cheer me on.

“There is still a long road ahead but I am determined to complete this challenge all while raising money for a worthy cause, Weston Hospicecare."

If he completes 280 hours while riding at an average of 20kph, he’ll have ridden the equivalent of 3,300 miles - roughly the distance from Worle to New York - without moving more than an inch on his spin bike.

The idea for the world-record breaking bid came from a record spinathon Paul completed with 28 others in July 2023, pedalling more than 31 hours at the gym, and raising £35,000 for the hospice.