Cirencester man flies across the country - on a bike (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

John Carver will travel from Lands End to John O Groats on his "flyke"

10:00am Thursday 6th August 2009 in News By Emma Tilley

A DETERMINED teacher has taken on a sky-high challenge to fly from one end of the country to the other - on a bike.

John Carver is using his school holidays to fly from Lands End to John O'Groats on a unique flying bike.

The flyke, as it is known, is a hybrid of a lightweight trike with a paraglider canopy that is propelled by a twin motor.

Mr Carver, who is originally from Duntisbourne Abbotts but now works as a teacher in Oxford, set off last week from Lands End in his one-of-a-kind bike and hopes to be at the northern tip of Scotland in three weeks.

His trip will raise vital funds for a juvenile diabetes charity as Mr Carver is a diabetic himself.

The flyke, which was made in Germany, can fly up to 10,000 feet but he prefers to stay at a warmer altitude of three to four thousand.

"It is comfortable because it is like a recumbent bicycle so I can sit with my feet up and it is great for taking photos."

John Carver

"It is a micro-light airplane bicycle that can be peddled on the road and flown in the sky," he said.

"I have been flying it for a few years but I was suddenly faced with an eight-week break for summer and I thought what a great opportunity to do a trip for charity."

The flyke can go for two-and-a-half hours on a full tank of fuel and travels at around 30mph airspeed.

It is registered with the Civil Aviation Authority and is legal to fly in the UK as long as Mr Carver does not stray into controlled airspace.

He said: "I'll need to make a detour around the airspace of large cities like Birmingham and Manchester. I've also made a note of the Red Arrows displays around the UK in August for obvious reasons."

The flyke will be easy to spot with its custom made Union Jack paraglider wing.

Mr Carver said: "It is comfortable because it is like a recumbent bicycle so I can sit with my feet up and it is great for taking photos."

Despite his trips all around the country, he prefers the scenery of the Cotswolds. "The view is beautiful and a lot more scenic than the flat areas of Oxford. It is definitely my favourite place to fly," he said.

To find out more about his epic journey visit www.flybike.co.uk