Father-of-three with terminal brain cancer hopes to set cycling world record

A father-of-three with terminal brain cancer hopes to set a world record by cycling further than anyone undergoing chemotherapy ever has before, to encourage fellow patients to “enjoy life”.

Robert Seaward, 38, is undergoing chemotherapy for a brain tumour which was diagnosed in January 2023, called oligodendroglioma.

Despite this, Mr Seaward, who lives in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, has chosen to “enjoy his life” and is on a mission to set a Guinness World Record (GWR) for the “longest bicycle ride while on a chemotherapy cycle”.

Over the next three weeks he will cycle more than 1,500 miles from Weymouth, Dorset, to London, via Liverpool, Manchester, Blackpool and Manchester.

The idea for the record attempt follows an incident last week when he began stuttering at home, before being admitted to hospital.

He feared he was having a seizure, but was told by doctors that was not the case.

“That could have been an aneurysm that just switched me off or it could have been a seizure that did take me out,” Mr Seaward, told the PA news agency.

“Instead, I’ve walked out of there healthy, happy and still being able to enjoy life with my family, so it gave me a fire in my belly to seize the moment and do this cycle.”

Mr Seaward cycled 200 miles from his home in Buckinghamshire to Paris in October 2023 to watch the Rugby World Cup final.

His family – wife Shelley, 35, and their children Seth, 11, Finley, nine, and Esme, seven – were “shocked” that he decided to take on that challenge.

His children’s response to the latest cycle ride was similar.

“At first, my children said ‘You can’t do that’.

“Then when I started breaking down why I was doing it, my children were a bit sad because I was going away for 21 days, but I told them ‘Remember, I’m doing this to help someone else’s daddy play with their children’.

“Then my youngest was on board and she told her brothers to let me go and help other people’s dads.

“My children are the reason why I go through the chemotherapy and surgery, because you want to put a couple of years on the clock.”

He said he is feeling “nervous” and “excited” ahead of the ride, with the route created using route planning app Bikemap.

“The first bit’s not the nicest, getting down to Weymouth is going to be a bit busy, but then I hit the coast and stick to the coast like glue all the way to places like Liverpool, Manchester and Blackpool,” he said.

“I love the coast – it’s beautiful and I might even dip my toes in the water if the weather is warm enough.”

He will be posting daily updates on Facebook and is optimistic that others will join him along the route.

He hopes people following his story who are  undergoing chemotherapy or have been diagnosed with cancer are encouraged to live their lives to the fullest.

“You can make your way through cancer and chemotherapy in one of two ways – either being dragged through painful, crying or sad or making a life while you’ve still got it,” he said.

“I want to show people that chemotherapy isn’t always that person lying or crying.

“I want people to not be scared if they’re diagnosed, get as fit and healthy as you can and enjoy life.

“I may keep this record for a long time, maybe even forever. But if I don’t, then I’ve inspired someone else to get on their bike while on chemo and that’s a win for me too.”

Mr Seaward has submitted a custom application to Guinness World Records, since the record he is attempting does not exist, and will send off evidence so his bid can be verified afterwards.

Mr Seaward’s fundraising page can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cycle-through-chemo?

His Facebook page can be accessed here: https://www.facebook.com/robbie.seaward