Bus driver swapping steering wheel for saddle as he prepares for huge cycling challenge

A bus driver is swapping his steering wheel for the saddle as he prepares for a mammoth cycling challenge between Anfield and the Kassam Stadium.

Mark Temple, who has been an Oxford Bus Company driver for 15-and-a-half years, will be riding from Anfield, the home of his beloved Liverpool Football Club, to the Kassam Stadium in just one day.

The challenge is all in aid of Sobell House, with Mark departing Anfield at 4am and due to arrive back in Oxfordshire between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday 14th June.

Sobell House provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care to adults living in Oxfordshire with a life-limiting illness, as well as support for their family and friends.

The hospice, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, cared for Mark’s dad and his wife’s grandmother before they sadly passed away.

Mark said: “With this being the 50th anniversary for Sobell House, it makes it special for everyone involved.

“Sobell is a great charity, and the staff are always really appreciative, no matter what you do, whether it be something big or just a small donation.”

Preparations for the cycling challenge stretch back more than seven months, with plenty of twists and turns to get Mark in shape for the ride.

He said: “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. When you get to 100 and 120-mile training rides, you realise how big it is. At the beginning of May, I got up to 150 miles and that was a real confidence booster.

“Now it’s about slowing down and doing a lot of steady rides just to keep the legs spinning, and to reduce the risk of injury and fatigue.”

Mark has been supported by fellow Oxford Bus Company driver Terry Brackett, and Michael Stopp from Thames Travel, plus Mark’s brother Justin Temple has been helping with the route and meeting points.

Mark said: “I’ve had a lot of support, especially with the fitness programme which Terry has put together. There’s no way I could’ve done this by myself.

“This is probably going to be my last big challenge. I’m 57 now. It’s been close to all-consuming with a lot of my spare time dedicated to this.

“I’ll still do smaller challenges for Sobell though, I’m not going to stop completely. But maybe I’ll change my mind in six months. The London Marathon remains on my bucket list, so I wouldn’t rule it out completely.”

Last month, Sobell House won the Brand the Bus competition run by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, securing a prize pool worth £100,000.

A full-wrap advertisement will be placed across a double-decker bus, while the prize package also includes free advertising on board Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel vehicles, radio advertising on Get Radio, and being named Oxford City Football Club’s charity of choice for the 2026/27 season.

Mark said: “Sobell being the winner of Brand the Bus this year ties in quite nicely and it will be great to drive the branded bus later in the year. I’m proud to work for such a community-spirited company.”

To donate to Mark’s cycling challenge, please visit: www.justgiving.com/page/mark-temple-4