Dundee Cyclathon is under way, with hundreds of cyclists of all ages set to clock up the miles in the coronavirus conforming challenge.
Organised by Claverhouse Rotary Club and launched at Dundee V&A, the fundraiser has been reshaped to allow as many people to participate as possible, selecting their own route and distance which can be covered any time during the week.
Hundreds signed up in advance and will be getting in the saddle both in the great outdoors and at home to raise funds for the STV Childrens appeal.
A trio of Claverhouse Rotarians, Stewart Davidson, David Boxer and Brian Cairns with wives Margaret Davidson and Maureen Boxer will pedal a total of 520 miles, covering 20 laps of the Dundee Green Circular cycle route between them.
Brian, who will add another 100 miles around nearby glens, said: “Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike which gives you an enormous sense of freedom.
“It is even better when you know that you are also raising much needed funds to support the many local kids in Dundee who are living in poverty.”
Dundee family Iain and Ann Ross, together with Calum and Paola Ross and grandchildren Lily, 11 and Felix, 7, are set to will cover a total distance of around 400 miles between them, mainly on their exercise bikes.
Iain said: “We are all pulling together as a family to raise money for the Children’s appeal. It does not matter whether you are outdoors on your bike or indoors on your exercise bike. It all counts”
The youngest Cyclathon are Frankie and Reggie Mclaren, aged six and three, who will each be pedalling the six miles from Charleston to Riverside.
Their mum, Mardou said: ”Frankie and Reggie learned to cycle during lockdown and then we read about the Cyclathon on Facebook which was an opportunity too good to miss.”
The young pair have already almost doubled their £100 fundraising target.
The furthest distance of 300 miles cycled in a day has so far been achieved by five Broughty Ferry Rotarians – John Mee, Donald Gordon, Alan Cook, Roger Edlington and Alan Henderson – who rode from the Ferry’s RNLI station into Perthshire and back through the Sidlaw Hills.
Duncan MacWalter from Brisbane, Australia and Jacqueline and Ashton Barr from New York are also participating.
Robert Burns, Vice President of Claverhouse Rotary Club vice-president, Robert Burns said: “Whether you cycle 10 miles or 100 miles, it does not matter. “Taking part and having fun are the most important features of this great event plus raising money for our local bairns who deserve a break in life.
“There is still plenty of time to get involved and you can register any time during the course of this week at www.dundeecyclathon.com ”
