Dr Mike Bosomworth swaps his lab coat for lyrca
by Michael Berriman
A CYCLIST who broke three vertebra and six ribs in a bike collision last year is about to cycle coast-to-coast across the USA.
Dr Mike Bosomworth, 61, was due to attempt the epic 4,200 mile challenge last year but had to cancel after a horrific accident in June, just weeks before he was set to fly out to America: “It was my first outing on the bike that I had bought to cross the USA on.
“All I can remember is hitting the car and then lying in the middle of the road. I broke three vertebra and six ribs.”
Mike, a lead clinician in blood sciences at Leeds General Infirmary, is cycling to raise money for the Yorkshire Brain Research Centre, a cause close to his heart: “Both my father and my aunt have suffered with Dementia.
“Having worked for the NHS for such a long time, I know how vitally important funding is. Funding is the only way forward.”
His route begins in New York and finishes in San Franciso and will take in Washington DC and the Rocky mountains.
But Mike is no stranger to epic challenges having already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and completed various other testing bike rides.
He said: “The personal challenge is also something that drives me. I cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 2000 and I have also cycled coast-to-coast across the UK.”
The father-of-three, of Bardsey, will be joined in the USA by his family: “One of my daughters and her partner are seeing me off in New York. My other daughter, my son and my wife are planning on meeting me at the finishing line in San Francisco.”
You can support Mike by donating on his page at www.virginmoneygiving.com