Having begun their 64 day Great Tour awareness and fundraising cycle ride around the British coast on Saturday 4 July from the Isle of Wight, Great Tour cyclists Hugh Roberts and Robin Young will be joined for the Scottish leg of their journey by former Scottish pro cyclist and now journalist Pippa York and they will be passing through Dumfries and Galloway .
5th August Wednesday Ayr to Port Patrick
34 6th August Thursday Port Patrick to Newton Stewart
35 7th August Friday Newton Stewart to Dumfries
36 8th August Saturday Dumfries to Carlisle
Pippa will be riding from Edinburgh to Ayr, a distance of approximately 1,650 kilometres, in 16 days, aiming to raise money herself for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice in Dorset and Wiltshire.
“The idea of promoting the Tour of Britain despite this year’s cancellation the race is as much about involving local communities as it is performance,” said Pippa York. “It’s a social event so we won’t be going fast!
“Everyone has become aware of the health aspects of cycling, be that physical or mental, during COVID-19. We’ve all noticed we need to take better care of ourselves and others. That’s why I’m riding part of the overall route, to encourage people to get out on their bikes, enjoy the fresh air and forget some of their worries. I’m also riding to raise funds for Julia’s House, which is a charity which supports the families of children and young adults with life limiting or ending conditions. They can’t have their usual promotion and fundraising events at the moment so if I can help in a small way that’s good. Already I’ve been touched by the generosity of people offering accommodation along the route and those intending to come out and ride or welcome us.”
More information on Pippa York’s fundraising can be found via her JustGiving page for Julia’s House here.
Inspired by The Great Tour event that took place in 2010 and 2015, SweetSpot Founder and Managing Director Hugh Roberts and long-time friend Robin Young are re-creating the 6,700 kilometre, 64 day ride, filling the gap between when the Women’s Tour and Tour of Britain professional cycle races should have taken place, had they not been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hugh and Robin’s ride so far has seen them cover almost 1,750 kilometres by the time they reach Berwick-upon-Tweed on Saturday (18 July) night.
The pair will spend 20 days cycling around the Scottish coast covering just over 2,000 kilometres and will have passed the halfway point in their 64 day journey by the time they return to England on Sunday 9 August.
Fittingly 2020 is Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters and The Great Tour hopes to showcase the beautiful scenery, heritage and natural landscapes of the Scottish coastline.
This year’s ride aims to raise awareness and funds for chosen health charities and causes in 2020 and to help create an annual fundraising ride around a recognised and waymarked cycle route around the whole coastline of Britain from 2021 onwards.
From 2021 the Great Tour ride will be the fundraising flagship of The Great Tour, for which charitable status is being sought. This annual event will raise money to support projects or other charities in community, health and environmental charities and causes – all of which are consistent with the Great Tour’s ethos.
Past editions of The Great Tour in 2010 and 2015 have supported a range of health charities, including The Prostate Cancer Charity, MacMillan and Anthony Nolan.
The awareness ride will has the support of partners Ascot Lloyd, a leading UK independent financial advice firm, and a small support team equipped with ŠKODA support vehicles.
Following the coastline as closely as possible by bike, and never losing the sight, the sound, the smell of the sea or sense of the sea, The Great Tour route takes in 6,700 kilometres of roads, cycle paths and green lanes around the country in a celebration of Britain’s coastline.
More information about The Great Tour can be found at www.thegreattour.co.uk and you can find out more and donate via our Just Giving page here.
