In recent weeks I have been following the progress of my colleague Alasdair Fraser who pedalled the incredible total of 1000 miles between Gdansk, in Poland, and Inverness.

During his time abroad he overcame a number of adversities including mechanical failures with the bike as well as low mood due to the sheer scale of the challenge he had taken on.

As well as a preview piece in the paper his journey made for regular daily updates from his Facebook posts for the website.

It culminated last weekend when he returned to the Highland capital alongside a dozen or so supporters and a warm welcome at The Gellions bar where he enjoyed this much deserved beer.

Reporter completes epic cycle for charity

AN Inverness long-distance cyclist has pedalled more than 1000 miles from Gdansk in Poland back to the Highland capital and raised more than £3600 for Ukraine. 

Award-winning Courier reporter Alasdair Fraser enjoyed a well-earned pint at The Gellions on Sunday and was reunited with family and friends following his epic journey. 

He felt totally elated after conquering the challenge and smashing his £3000 target. He added: “I got some great support from various cyclists, about a dozen or more, and it really lifted me over the last wee stretch.”

He was keen to thank everyone who had supported him during the trip, especially those who had sponsored him and contributed to the final total.

Mr Fraser said the worst part of the route was when he battled bad weather early on, when he was making very little progress, and the highlight was travelling 100 miles in one day finishing in Bremen, Germany.

He added: “It gave me a real high and it felt like I had broken the back of the trip – I had to remind myself that I wasn’t home yet and I was still midway through Germany. I knew then that I was on the home straight so it gave me a huge lift.”

The money will go to War Child which aims to protect and support children in conflict zones.

• To make a donation visit Just Giving.

From The Inverness Courier on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.

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