Indian charity bike ride by Scottish folk

A team of Scottish cyclists are planning on pedaling a 665km journey, all in the name of charity. The team of 11 are planning to start their amazing ride in Kolkata on the 14th February and cycle the whopping distance to Kalimpong that stands at more than 4,500 feet above sea level. The aim is to raise money for Dr Graham’s Homes School, which has been around for over 100 years in Kalimpong. Most of the team are over the age of 50 and are hoping to get to their destination in just 7 days.

Dr Graham’s Homes School was first founded in 1900, on a 500-acre estate, for poor children in the area. Up until 2008 they had successfully graduated 8,000 thousand students. The charity set up in Scotland has been funding the school for many years now and often do these bike rides. In 2006 a team of nine cyclists raised £20,000 for the school and in 2008 another group raised £40,000 after completing the mammoth ride.

The committee who organise the bike ride has very strict rules for those wishing to take part. They have to own their own mountain bike and have a certain level of fitness to be able t handle the long distances they cover each day. All expenses have to be covered by the cyclist and they are expected to raise at least £1,000 as well as paying £1,500 to enter. The ride is not one of the easiest and there is also a back-up vehicle for the few that need help along the way.