Naval aviators aim to beat Trafalgar message time

Image source, Royal Navy

Image caption, Cdr Pascal Patterson (L) with Lt Cdr Dan Waskett
At a glance
  • Two Royal Navy officers plan to cycle from Falmouth to London
  • They want to beat the time taken to deliver the news of victory at Trafalgar, which was 38 hours
  • The 271-mile (436-km) cycle is due to be followed by a 3,106-mile (5,000-km) cycle challenge across the USA in the summer

Two Royal Navy officers plan to cycle from Falmouth to London beating the time taken by coach and horse in 1805 of 38 hours.

The 19th Century journey was to deliver news of victory at Trafalgar - Admiral Lord Nelson's famous defeat of the combined French and Spanish fleets off the coast of Spain.

Cdr Pascal Patterson and Lt Cdr Dan Waskett are following the route followed by Lt John Richards Lapenoti猫re.

Averaging around 7mph (11kmph) he arrived in London announcing: 鈥淲e have gained a great victory. But we have lost Lord Nelson.鈥

Image source, Royal Navy

Image caption, Cdr Patterson trains inside ahead of the ride

鈥淏oth Dan and I will cycle the entire distance, side by side, entirely unsupported, which means no support crew or vehicle.

Just us and the very long, open road,鈥 explained 40-year-old Cdr Patterson, who serves with the UK Strategic Command.

They will set off for the two-day ride at 09:30 BST on 1 April .

The 271-mile (436km) ride is a precursor to a plan to pedal 5,000km (3,106 miles) across the USA in the summer.