Stump Cross Caverns near Pateley Bridge will be getting on their bikes for 105 days to help raise awareness of their Crowdfunder campaign to illuminate the caves.

The 105 days challenge was inspired by Geoffrey Workman who spent 105 days in the caves at Stump Cross Caverns, back in 1963. He set a World Record for the longest consecutive days anyone had spent in a cave and created quite a stir back in the day. A former Government Rocket Scientist, Geoff was still visiting the caverns years later.

The Bike Challenge will officially launch on Sunday 11 September 2022 at 12 noon, and staff and visitors are encouraged to take part. A leader board will show the fastest cyclists every month who will win the coveted Stump Cross Caverns Biker’s Jersey of the month.

Lisa Bowerman, owner of this family-run business, is aiming to reach her target on Crowdfunder by the end of the year, with all money donated going to preserve and updating the lighting in the caves.

Lisa says “The Bike Challenge is the latest initiative to help us raise funds to help illuminate our caves for generations to come to enjoy. We have previously raffled off a campervan to help us get over the lockdown during the pandemic, and now we need to update the lighting in our caverns.”

If enough money is raised, the new lighting will show off the wonders of the caverns using theatrical lighting techniques. One of the challenges in the caves is growth on the rocks when there is light, these can be very damaging to their eco-system, so it is essential that this specialist lighting is installed to preserve these precious caves for the future.

Their Crowdfunding page, to win the apartment has raised over £67,000 so far, and the Bike Challenge hopes to encourage more people to enter with the chance of winning a home to live in, sell or rent out.