Mat Dib, who suffers from chronic kidney disease, this week completed the Isle of Man TT mountain bike course in the fastest time of just under one and half hours on an e-bike, to become a Guinness World Record holder.
Mat, an avid motorsport follower, visits the Isle of Man TT race as a spectator most years. Explaining the motivation behind last Sunday’s success, he said: “I’ve always needed challenges and targets in life to aim for, as a means of motivation and fitness.”
While awaiting a kidney transplant, Mat decided to combine his love of challenges with helping to raise funds for the South West Thames Kidney Fund. Relying solely on donations, the charity raises research funds with the ambition of curing kidney disease.
After long negotiations, Guinness World Records agreed to create a new category for Mat, namely the ‘Fastest Isle of Man TT Mountain Course – Electric bicycle’, with donations for his efforts going to the kidney charity, of which he is a committee member.
Mat regularly clocks up around 150 miles per week on his e-hybrid and rides off-road for 3-4hrs every Sunday morning on his e-MTB – meaning additional training for the challenge was minimal. Although he confessed to feeling “utterly exhausted” shortly afterwards, he added that “it was well worth every minute of pain”.
The previous, unofficial, timed record for e-biking the 38-mile mountain course was held by Conor Cummins, a Manxman who completed the circuit on a Smart electric bike in 2 hours and 41 minutes – a time that included a stop-off at his mum’s for a cup of tea. To ensure a level playing field, Mat did the same on his record-breaking lap.
The 350w Moustache Dimanche was supplied by Martin Brown of E-bikeshop and donations to support Mat’s efforts for the kidney charity can be made online here. At the time of writing Mat is still seeking donations to reach his £2,000 target. He also hopes to raise awareness of kidney disease generally via his Facebook World Record page, which can be found here.
The new record holder summed up: “The support of friends, family and of course the generosity of E-bikeshop has been nothing short of incredible”
