(CNN)Some 20,000 kilometers of roads separate Twickenham Stadium, the site of the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, and Tokyo Stadium, which will host the opening game of this year’s competition. For two fans, the tournaments are just a bike ride apart.
The kickoff between Japan and Russia in six months’ time will bring to an end a journey that will take 231 days, spanning two continents and 27 countries. By that time, Ron Rutland and James Owens will be grateful to put their bikes to one side and watch some rugby.
“We’re gluttons for punishment,” Rutland tells CNN Sport from Bulgaria, just under four weeks into the journey.
