Posties cycle success

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Perth posties have returned triumphant from the Inner Hebrides after completing a 100-mile cycle for charity.

Willie McLaren (59), a Royal Mail delivery driver, cycled around the Isle of Mull last Saturday for two good causes.

Feus Road depot manager Simon Hodge (47) and retired postie Brian Howsam (67) joined him on the journey.

The trio were raising money for Perth Action for Children, which supports neglected and vulnerable children, and Headway, which helps people affected by brain injuries.

They left Perth at four in the morning to catch a ferry from Oban to Craignure, where they set off on their cycles at eight.

Willie told the PA: “It was a good day with the sun coming out, but we were cycling into the wind all the way down to Calgary and Gruline.

“We’ve never seen so many hills on all our travels. It was hard going up, but it was great coming down at speeds of 35mph.”

Willie said the cycle soon became a race against time as the team struggled to get back to the port to catch their ferry home.

“We thought once we were on a good flat road through Ben More, we’d make up time to get back to catch the boat to Oban,” he said.

“But we hit the big hills in the Strathcoil area and we were always looking at our watches to see whether we would make it back in time!

“But we shouldn’t have worried, as it was all downhill from Lochdon for the next three to four miles to Torosay Castle, with only another three miles to go to the ferry.”

Willie admitted the trip had taken a lot out of him and said he would be better prepared for the next one.

“We all agreed that this was our hardest challenge yet,” he said. “Next time we will do a proper recce of our route!

“But it was a great day. We saw beautiful sights on route and after all, it was for charity, so a good day’s work was done by all.”

[Thunderthighs]

Well done all! I recall riding down the Mull of Kintyre, in "Summer". 25 miles as the crow flies, felt like 50 with all the hills. Had a hail storm-rain-wind all in the last 5-10 miles.
Luckily the local Leisure Centre let me have a LUSH hot shower to thaw me out!