
Kirkstone Pass
We did it….Another success story for South Scarle
David’s Charity ride raises funds for a village defibrillator
David’s story…………………..
Jane, my wife had been going at me for some time about the village needing a defibrillator, so, never one to avoid a challenge I decided to do something about it and embarked on the following:-
1200 miles in 4 days That was the challenge set by Ride magazines assistant editor Simon Weir, however this was a challenge with a difference, no motorways and where possible minor roads, he said this offered a real challenge to the rider, and believe me he wasn’t wrong.
Day 1 Saw me set off from South Scarle at 7.30am on the 2nd October and work my way across to Buxton, then Glossop, Huddersfield, Halifax, Skipton and Settle. I then took the Hawes road out of Ingleton past the Ribblehead viaduct, a stunning bikers road. From there I made my way through Kendal, Windermere, over the Kirkstone Pass onto Penrith, then over Hartside Top onto the A689 to Brampton, Lockerbie and finally stopping for my 1st night in Moffat 332 miles Weather fantastic. Roads even better, this is biker heaven, if you don’t like corners and working hard don’t go this route!!
Day2 Off at 8.15, in the rain and headed up the A701, then A72 towards Biggar then skirted around Glasgow and followed the A81/ A84/A85 /A 82 to Tyndrum and the Green Wellie Cafe. Then over Glencoe along the shores of Loch Linnhe thro to Fort William. Still raining, I then headed onto to the shores of Loch Lochy to Invergarry the up the A87 towards Ellean Donan Castle, then Strathcarron and then slightly north west to a small village time has forgotten called Sheildaig, this pretty little settlement sits on the banks of Loch Carron and is reached by 17 miles of very narrow roads with passing places. Fortunately for me my B and B had a drying room so all my gear was dry the next morning. 280 miles and raining all day.
Day3 Well at least the weather is dry, albeit overcast. Another 17 miles of narrow roads to get me back onto the A832 to take me to Inverness, onto Nairn the turn south over the shoulder of the Cairngorms stopping at the Lecht Ski Centre for a warm and a hot chocolate. As you can see very misty and they had reports of snow having fallen. No people in evidence aprt from the 2 ladies running the cafe and the black Lab guarding the till but certainly no idiots on motorbikes. From there it was downhill towards Perth and a few degrees warmer, then Dunfermline, over the Firth of Forth around Edinburgh, down to Gallasheils and finally Melrose my last night stay. 326 miles and mainly dry.
Day 4 The final day and the run for home No A1 for me, onto the A68 towards Jedburgh, over Carter Bar, cold and desolate. Then continuing on the A68 past Newcastle with a detour onto the A167 for a selfie with the Angle of the North. Then Middlesburgh, Stockesly, thro the North Yorkshire National Park and onto Malton. I then headed for Driffield, Beverley, over the Humber Bridge to Caistor, then just touching the Lincolnshire Wolds saw home in sight with a run to Conningsby, Billinghay and a route across country eventually arriving home at 4pm 323 miles, all dry
That was a total of 1234 miles over 4 days and approx 34 hours in the saddle [No John Wayne jokes thank you]
The good news is that with the very kind pledges received we will, when all the money is collected, have, in excess of £700
The really good news is the British Heart Foundation have approved my application for funding and they have agreed to fund the balance
Thanks to all those who gave and pledged sponsorship South Scarle will soon have its own defibrillator
Please let me know if you would like free training on its use. The Ambulance Service will train upto 12 people free of charge.
Regards
David Clarke

Sledmere Memorial nr Driffield

Ribblehead

Humber Bridge

Forth Road Bridge

Angel of the North

Lecht Ski Centre Cairngormes

Eilean Donan Castle nr Kyle of Lochalsh

Hartside Top

Lecht Ski Centre