Highland Extreme Cycle Ride for KidsAid

In February this year I made a decision. I was feeling out of condition, had put on a few too many extra pounds, and – like so many people who do a desk job – so I decided to start cycling.

Then the bug bit, and I wanted to come up with an idea, something that would give me a real challenge – a project that would motivate me and test me physically and mentally. To complete this forthcoming project, I would find a local charity that I could help by getting people to sponsor me in my efforts.

The result of all this determination is that, in October, myself and 3 others are attempting The Highland Extreme Ride, a cycle marathon of some 300 miles across the rugged Scottish highlands – and please note, none of us have ever done anything even vaguely like this before!

We will travel up to Inverness and begin the ride from there, across the highland ranges to Durness, where we will cross the Kyle of Durness in a small boat, then pick up a trail on the other side and cover the remaining 11 miles across an MOD practice range (!!) to reach our final objective, the Cape Wrath lighthouse – the most north-westerly point of Scotland.

The route and timing have been chosen to increase the challenge of the ride, as we will experience isolation in some very remote areas, some of the terrain will prove rather arduous, and we may even hit some harsh weather conditions, especially up in the higher parts. We’ll be camping each night and will carry food and essential supplies with us. We do have one vehicle supporting us, but that won’t be able to keep with us on the off-road sections of the ride.

RIDE FACTS

• Distance: 300 miles over 5 days

• Number of stages: 5, part on, part off-road

• Total ascent: 26,458 feet

• Total descent: 26,457 feet

• Estimated daily calorie burn: between 4 and 6 thousand

• Average cycling time per day: between 7 and 10 hours

Why I chose to support KidsAid…

“I have always supported children’s charities, as children always seem to be the most vulnerable. From close experience, I know just how important it is to help children during times of bereavement, and the damaging long-term effects this can have if children don’t receive any help during tough times as they grow up.

Young Children provide unconditional trust and love to those around them, and they have an absolute right for this not to be abused.

KidsAid seems to focus on exactly this.”

Adrian Brown

Please leave your well wishes for Adrian in his Highland Extreme Weblog

Please sponsor Adrian here...

Return to News Listing