The Pitmedden Cycle Collective started from a “crazy idea” dreamt up by Stephen Booth at the end of 2014.
Gathering like-minded friends together, he thought they might take up cycling to get fit and raise money for charity by embarking on a large-scale challenge event.
And now, the group has done exactly that after completing a mammoth 400-mile route around the north coast of Scotland.
The seven-strong team took on the formidable North Coast 500 this month, starting and finishing in Inverness.
The funds raised will go to St Andrew’s School in Inverurie – team member Stuart Wood’s son is a pupil there – and will help fund new playground equipment and keep up the maintenance of the school minibus.
The peloton of cyclists, ranging from novices to experienced bikers taking part in the challenge have collectively raised £15,000 for charities so far – and have lost myriad pounds of body weight in the process.
Mr Wood said: “It was one of the toughest, most exhilarating cycling trips I have done, but also one of the most beautiful and scenic ones.
“We are all extremely grateful and humbled by everyone’s support, well wishes and donations. It really did keep us going when the hills got tough and the days were long.”
The collective’s first charity trip was in 2015 and saw them cycle 190 miles from Pitmedden to Largs in three days – raising £9,000 for the Scottish Association for children with heart disorders.
The group intends to undertake another charity challenge in two years’ time, but has not yet decided upon the route. Anyone wishing to join the collective can contact them at:
http://pitmeddencyclecollective.weebly.com/
