Somerset farmer takes on ‘extremely tough’ challenge to cycle 1k miles with his forager 

The challenge involves a 1,000-mile route starting at the Northumberland County Show on 26th May. 

Mr Bragg will be travelling south, visiting the Suffolk Show on 30th and 31st May, before finishing his journey at the Royal Cornwall Show on 5th June. 

Not the first challenge 

The South Petherton farmer explained that the ambitious journey will span multiple counties and stop at several farm shops and Krone dealerships to gather local community support and raise nationwide awareness of RABI’s vital work. 

“In 2019 I cycled 3,000 miles across Canada for the charity, so I was ready for the next challenge. Lots of people have cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End, so I wanted to go one step further by using the forager to symbolise the agricultural community’s strength and resilience,” he said. 

“With the support of Krone, we designed the event to engage a wide audience, beyond the farming community, and hope to collaborate with both farming personalities and celebrities to help garner support.” 

Extremely tough yet inspiring journey 

The 11-day route has required careful planning to accommodate both cyclists and Mr Bragg’s 3.2m wide Krone BiG X forager, neither of which are allowed on the motorway.  

He said that the mapped route consists of multiple hills, totalling an elevation of over 5,000ft, making the journey extremely tough yet inspiring. 

Mr Bragg added: “I’m clocking up around 20 hours of fitness training a week to prepare myself for the challenge. I just really hope it’s not still raining by then.” 

Three of Mr Bragg’s farming friends will also be cycling the route, while a wide range of drivers will take the wheel of the forager. 

With the support of key sponsors, the challenge aims to raise over £10,000 for RABI. The donations can be made online here. 

Follow the challenge 

RABI regional manager Zoe Gascoyne said that the challenge is an “enormous undertaking” in aid of the farming community across the UK, and RABI is gratified to be the recipient of the funds raised. 

Northumberland County Show secretary Kerry Robson explained that the forager will be leading the procession of ‘tractors through the ages’ display in the show’s main arena on 25th May, which will officially launch the challenge. 

She added: “We are excited to showcase the BiG X at the show and support the vital work RABI does for the local community.” 

The team will be travelling the following route and are encouraging the public to visit them at each stop:

• 25-26 May – Northumberland County Show
• 27 May – Fodder Farm Shop, Great Yorkshire Showground
• 28 May – Butterlands Farm, hosted by Kelvin and Liz Fletcher
• 29 May – Sharmans of Grantham
• 30-31 May – Suffolk Show
• 1 June – Adcock Agri, Chelmsford
• 2 June – Goodwood Farm Shop
• 3 June – Dorchester
• 4 June – Compass Tractors, Bridgwater
• 5 June – Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, Lifton
• 6 June – Royal Cornwall Show

If you are unable to see Mr Bragg and his forager on their route, both will also be on the Krone stand at the Royal Welsh Show from 22nd to 25th July.  

You can also follow the challenge via Krone and Frogmary Green Farm social media or by following the hashtag #CyclingFarmerAndForager. 

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