A cyclist was last night on course to smash a long-standing record for the quickest time anyone has cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats and back again.

Aptly-named Ben Rockett was heading down through Devon and into Cornwall overnight, almost 24 hours ahead of schedule in his madcap ride up and down the length of Britain.

He was due to reach the tip of Cornwall before dawn this morning, after he spent yesterday – his sixth straight day on the road – whizzing through the West.

The record, set almost ten years ago, is an incredible six days and 20 hours – but Ben is on course to complete the 1,800 miles in just six days or maybe less. The 25-year-old, who is riding to raise thousands of pounds for Cardiac Risk in the Young, crossed the Severn Bridge and enjoyed a lunchtime burger at Aust Services, before cycling down the A38 through Somerset yesterday.

The team of supporters backing the Bath University postgraduate student are taking turns to cycle with him.

"If he keeps going at this pace, he'll reach Land's End at something like 4am, but we're taking nothing for granted," said Alastair Steel, one of the support crew last night.