Somerset farmer, Nick Bragg, of Frogmary Green Farm, is embarking on an extraordinary cycling challenge alongside a Krone BiG X forager, to raise awareness and funds for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI).
The challenge involves a 1,000-mile route starting at the Northumberland County Show on 26 May, travelling south via the Suffolk Show on 30 and 31 May, before finishing at the Royal Cornwall Show on 5 June.
Mr Bragg explains 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 Lands End, so I wanted to go one step further by using the forager to symbolise the agricultural community’s strength and resilience,” he says.
“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.”
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 explains the mapped route consists of multiple hills, totalling an elevation of over 5,000ft, making the journey extremely tough yet inspiring.
“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!” adds Mr Bragg.
Also cycling the route for support will be three of Mr Bragg’s farming friends, 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 and donations can be made via: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cycling-farmer-vs-krone-forager?utm_term=dPYpM7zXk.
RABI regional manager, Zoe Gascoyne, applauds Mr Bragg’s determination: “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.”
To officially launch the challenge, Northumberland County Show secretary, Kerry Robson explains the forager will be leading the procession of ‘tractors through the ages’ display in the Show’s main arena on 25 May.
“We are excited to showcase the BiG X at the show and support the vital work RABI does for the local community,” she says.
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
1 June – Adcock Agri, Chelmsford
3 June – Dorchester
4 June – Compass Tractors, Bridgwater
5 June – Strawberry Fields Farm Shop, Lifton
You can also follow the challenge via Krone and Frogmary Green Farm social media or by following the hashtag #CyclingFarmerAndForager.
