Pedals, Purpose and Pure Determination

If you'd told me that one of the most entertaining moments of my Shrieval year so far would involve standing on a sun-scorched airfield near Banbury, chequered flag in hand, as sleep-deprived teams of pedal-powered racers whirred past me after 24 hours on the circuit — I might have raised an eyebrow.

And yet, that’s exactly what happened this weekend at the Unusual Rigging Limited Shenington 24 Hour Race — the flagship event in the British pedal car racing calendar, and an extraordinary testament to teamwork, tenacity and the joy of human-powered sport.

It was, without doubt, a hot weekend. Shade was sparse, water bottles were constantly being refilled, and sunscreen flowed almost as freely as encouragement from the pit lanes. But the heat did nothing to dampen spirits.

At midday on Saturday, 24 hours of continuous racing began — and by midday Sunday, with cheers rising from every corner of the circuit, it was Team Royce who took the overall victory. A phenomenal performance from a seasoned outfit, showcasing pace, precision, and stamina in equal measure. But in truth, every single team that crossed the finish line achieved something remarkable.

One of the most heartening aspects of the event for me was seeing just how many Scout teams were taking part. Patrols, (see what I did there?) of young people working together to design, build, maintain and race their vehicles — supporting one another through the heat, fatigue and mechanical hiccups that are part and parcel of a 24-hour race. Leadership, resilience, problem-solving, and good old-fashioned spirit were on display at every turn.

These were not just races. They were living examples of youth development in action. Young people stepping up, taking ownership, making decisions — and learning that real success is often forged in the early hours of the morning, when things aren’t going to plan and the only way forward is together.

Events like this don’t happen by accident. Enormous thanks must go to:

• The British Federation of Pedal Car Racing, for another brilliantly run event.

• The marshals, medics, officials and volunteers who kept everyone safe and on track.

• The families, friends and Scout leaders who camped out in support, wielding spanners, stopwatches and cereal bars with tireless good humour.

• Dave and Rose for inviting me.

• And of course, to Unusual Rigging Limited, whose generous sponsorship has helped elevate this race into something truly exceptional — an event that not only promotes sustainability and teamwork but embodies them.

As I stood there, slightly sweaty in full rig and more than a little awed, I was reminded that leadership doesn’t always wear a badge or carry a title. Sometimes, it pedals. Sometimes it fixes a broken chain at 3am. Sometimes it simply says, “You’ve got this — I’ll take the next shift.”

To everyone who took part this weekend — thank you. You’ve inspired us all.

Now… go and get some sleep.