David Piper, a Plymouthian who now resides in Cornwall, has ridden bikes since not long after he learned to walk. He considers himself a belligerent cyclist, frequently falling out with car drivers who do not give him right of way, but also campaigning for safer cycle routes.

He’s managed to survive into his forties and hopes to complete the round the world project by the time he’s fifty or before he’s knocked off and killed.

He regularly rides and races with Team Chodski’s Indians (who rose from the ashes of what was formerly Cornwall Mountain Bike Club) and has been a regular competitor at endurance races. In 2005 he rode solo in the Kona Global 24 hour off-road race, limping home in 23rd place against an elite international field. His only comment after the event was that his backside felt as though it had been flossed with razor wire.