Karl Bushby and the Channel Tunnel

[Egg Centric]

It's not the length of time that's important is it? If I drive at 120mph on a motorway for 1 hour, is it less dangerous than doing so for 10 hours?

The point is that either way it's taking a risk, you just don't know when that risk will lead to trouble. All you do with a shorter time is decrease the probability, you don't eliminate the risk.

So if you make an exception for Chris Froome, why not for Karl Bushby? You either make an exception or you don't.

They had to shut down all work using the service tunnel during his ride. There's a big difference between shutting that down for an hour or two and half a day.

 

[zwk500]

It's not the length of time that's important is it? If I drive at 120mph on a motorway for 1 hour, is it less dangerous than doing so for 10 hours?

The point is that either way it's taking a risk, you just don't know when that risk will lead to trouble. All you do with a shorter time is decrease the probability, you don't eliminate the risk.

As risk is a function of probability, then by definition reducing the probability is reducing the risk. The task of any risk management is to reduce the risk to a manageable level.

So if you make an exception for Chris Froome, why not for Karl Bushby? You either make an exception or you don't.

In this instance, the role of the service tunnel as an emergency evacuation route is also an important consideration. There is a huge difference between shutting it down or obstructing it for 1hrs and 10hrs.

 

[edwin_m]

A cyclist passing through in an hour could perhaps do so unaccompanied or someone could be driving behind in case of any problems. Bushby would need at least one welfare stop during a 10hr walk, which means having a mobile welfare unit following him or meeting him at intervals. They must have such vehicles on site for use by maintenance staff, but it would then be unavailable for other uses and creating an obstruction in the event of an evacuation being needed.

 

[Egg Centric]

Bushby would need at least one welfare stop during a 10hr walk,

In fairness I think this bit is a solved problem (various absorbent materials and those backpacks that have water in them with a straw)

Although the rest of it isn't.

 

[Shrop]

Some on this thread might know by now that Karl Bushby reached British shores a few days ago, by swimming the Channel.

To me, and a rapidly growing number of others, his story is highly inspirational, and well deserving of much more respect than many people give him.

It will be interesting to see how many of those who have ignored him until now, will want a piece of the action once he arrives in Hull.

His story is bigger than a lot of people realise. (Those without their heads in the sand that is ).

Here is a link to how the New York Times are covering the story (hold your finger on the link and then click "open") ...https://nypost.com/2026/10/11/lifestyle/british-veteran-completes-28-year-journey-walking-across-four-continents/

 

[SargeNpton]

Some on this thread might know by now that Karl Bushby reached British shores a few days ago, by swimming the Channel.

To me, and a rapidly growing number of others, his story is highly inspirational, and well deserving of much more respect than many people give him.

It will be interesting to see how many of those who have ignored him until now, will want a piece of the action once he arrives in Hull.

His story is bigger than a lot of people realise. (Those without their heads in the sand that is ).

Here is a link to how the New York Times are covering the story (hold your finger on the link and then click "open") ...https://nypost.com/2026/10/11/lifestyle/british-veteran-completes-28-year-journey-walking-across-four-continents/

Sorry, but taking 28 years to walk around the world on the pretext of going home is not inspirational but just a waste of a life, especially as he has a family.

 

[Peterthegreat]

Sorry, but taking 28 years to walk around the world on the pretext of going home is not inspirational but just a waste of a life, especially as he has a family.

Totally agree.

 

[Falcon1200]

A couple of questions;

How much has Mr Bushby raised for charity through his (admittedly remarkable) achievement?

How did he support himself, ie pay for food, accommodation, clothing etc during his odyssey?

 

[Shrop]

Sorry, but taking 28 years to walk around the world on the pretext of going home is not inspirational but just a waste of a life, especially as he has a family.

Totally disagree!! Bushby has done far more to motivate and inspire people than a great number of others who milk a lot from society.

He doesn't have a wife or children, and others in his family have been out to see him during his time away.

His story might not inspire you personally, but that hardly takes into account a great many others who he does inspire.

Not everyone is inspired by people who are paid a fortune by kicking a ball around a field either!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 18:20 ==

A couple of questions;

How much has Mr Bushby raised for charity through his (admittedly remarkable) achievement?

How did he support himself, ie pay for food, accommodation, clothing etc during his odyssey?

Read the quote I posted earlier.

 

[Falcon1200]

Read the quote I posted earlier.

Don't see a quote, just a link which I was unable to open.

 

[Egg Centric]

He doesn't have a wife or children, and others in his family have been out to see him during his time away.

He absolutely has a son. And a 12 year old granddaughter. Who he's never met in person (might have done in the last few days).

 

[Shrop]

He absolutely has a son. And a 12 year old granddaughter. Who he's never met in person (might have done in the last few days).

Ah, maybe I missed that bit. My bad!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Today at 18:37 ==

Don't see a quote, just a link which I was unable to open.

Hold your finger on the link and it should offer you a dialogue box saying "Open".

 

[Falcon1200]

Hold your finger on the link and it should offer you a dialogue box saying "Open".

Doesn't work on a non-touchscreen! However I copied and pasted the link and read the story, which does explain how he financed his journey, thanks for that. However no mention of any benefit to anybody other than himself.

 

[Shrop]

Doesn't work on a non-touchscreen! However I copied and pasted the link and read the story, which does explain how he financed his journey, thanks for that. However no mention of any benefit to anybody other than himself.

I'm seriously hoping that he will see his way to a number of charitable donations . I'll be a lot more likely to buy his book if he does.