They made a career out of putting their bodies on the line but this weekend a group of crazy Rugby League stars will put their backsides on the line when they bid to smash the world record for a static cycle ride.
Led by former Sheffield, Leeds and Great Britain centre Keith Senior, the riders have come together to raise money for Rugby League Cares by taking part in a spin spectacular spanning an energy-sapping 30 hours.
At 6am on Saturday, Keith will join Chev Walker, Mick Cassidy, Ewan Dowes, Wayne Godwin, Sam Smeaton, Paige Costello, Garreth Carvell and Benji Lloyd in an attempt to break the current world record for a group spinning class stands which stands at 28 hours.
Keith is one of 10 people riding for RL Cares in a 25-strong virtual peloton inspired by the plight of his former Leeds team-mate Rob Burrow, who last year was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Because of social distancing guidelines, the 25 participants will ride from their homes and stay together via Zoom and Zwift.
“I’ve taken part in a lot of challenges since I retired but this one is going to be the toughest yet,” said Keith. “Spending 30 hours in the saddle apart from toilet breaks is completely unnatural and it will be a mental test as much as a physical one.
“When you ride outside you go uphill and downhill, you can stretch your legs out of the saddle and the moving air keeps you cool – on a static bike you just have to sit there and suffer!
“RL Cares were forced to cancel their planned fundraising ride in America, the UK Red Empire State 500, because of the coronavirus pandemic which has left a massive funding shortfall so this is a great opportunity.
“As former players, we’re all acutely aware of what an important job RL Cares does in safeguarding the welfare of players and it’s good to be able to put something back.
“We’ll also be donating a percentage of what we raise to the MND Association, so it’s really important that people get behind us and donate.
“I’d like to thank the team at Sheffield University for the loan of Watt bikes to some of the riders.”
To support Keith or any of the riders raising funds for RL Cares, please visit their Justgiving pages: for example Keith Senior’s page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Keith-Senior4