The Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright held another very successful cycle sportive on Saturday the 8th of August.
On a gloriously sunny day two hundred and thirteen cyclists entered, ranging in age from 11 to 77 on their choice of 103, 67 and 30-mile routes. The oldest cyclist completing the 103 mile route was Norman Edwards from Darlington Cycling Club aged 70! The youngest was 16-year old Will Swarbrick from Cheltenham & County Cycle Club. The youngest cyclist completing the 67-mile route was 13-year old John Rodger from Kirkcudbright in 4 hours 55 minutes!
Andrew Meiklejohn of Galloway Hillbillies was fastest on the 30-mile route in a time of 1hour and 42 minutes. Quickest woman was local lass, Helen Waddell, in a time of 2 Hours 13 minutes. On
the 67-mile route the fastest was Brian Boyd in a time of 3 hours 25 minutes with Melanie Martin, ‘DG7 Road Rides’ as leading woman in 3 hours 48 minutes. On the long 103-mile route the quickest time recorded was 5 hours 12 minutes jointly by William Hannay and Stuart Barr of Newton Stewart Triathlon Club. The fastest lady was Ruth Williamson in 6 hours 15 minutes.
“We are delighted so many cyclists enjoyed another successful Galloway reCycle Sportive.” commented Mike Duguid of the Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright. “We had entrants from as far afield as Wick in Caithness to Tiverton in Devon. It is really heartening to see so many cyclists returning year-after-year to enjoy the event but it is also great to see many first timers. It was fantastic to see them finish, tired but happy, having met the challenge they had set themselves. They have all helped us raise over £4000 for the Rotary charities and especially the two cycling charities we support, Killie Can Cycle and Jole Rider. This will allow both of them to supply many more bikes to children in Africa. Many African children live in remote communities, a long way from their nearest school. Without reliable, affordable, transport the only way they can get to school is to walk. In searing heat, their journey to education on foot is a daily epic mission. Having a bicycle makes a world of difference for these children, their families and also their communities.”
For more information on their ‘Bikes 4 Africa’ programme see: http://www.jolerider.org/programmes/bikes4africa
The Rotary Club of Kirkcudbright plan to run the event again next August, and further information can be obtained from their website: www.gallowayrecyclesportive.co.uk or by emailing [email protected]
