Cyclists tackle 200-mile dawn-to-dusk challenge

The 2026 event was Chase the Sun's biggest ever with more than 1,200 cyclists [John Nurden]More than 1,200 cyclists have set off from Kent on their way across England in an attempt to follow the sun on one of the longest days of the year.

>As part of the Chase the Sun event, cyclists set off from Minster on the Isle of Sheppey as the sun was rising and were hoping to arrive in Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, about 200 miles (322km) to the west, as the sun set at about 21:30 BST.

>Olly Moore started the annual event, which many take part in for charity, after he set out with two friends in 2008 to see how far they could cycle on the summer solstice.

>"You have to remember that this is a ride, not a race. It is about enjoying the riding and taking in the countryside," he said.

>Sunday marks the summer solstice - the official start of astronomical summer across the northern hemisphere, and the longest day of the year.

>However, Chase the Sun, which now also has courses in both the north of England, Ireland and Italy, was held a day earlier.

>"It is a unique experience, and the riders aren't doing it alone," Moore explained.

>"It's a collective who come together with a shared goal."

>Moore said he chose Minster as the starting point in 2008 as he could see the sun rising over the sea and track it across the country.

>"Ocean to ocean, sunrise to sunset, east to west - that's why we are here," he said.

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