Lornshill pupils go for gold in 150-mile cycle

0 - 0 • Published 6 May 2009 12:37 0 Comments

FIVE Lornshill Academy pupils have cycled 150 miles in a four-day training expedition - putting them a step closer to achieving their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The gruelling trip was the first gold level expedition to involve Lornshill pupils for over 30 years.

The fifth-year pupils - Louise MacLeod, Jack Fowler, Iain McCall, David Hodgkinson and Niomi Miller - previously endured many weekends of cycle training before embarking on this exercise.

They began their cycle in the village of Kyleakin on Skye and cycled over the Skye Bridge to the mainland and on to Stromeferry, where they camped in a forest. Overnight the group were self sufficient, camping and cooking for themselves.  

On the second day they cycled to Applecross via the highest road in Scotland, the Bealach Na Ba, which rises to 2053ft in about five miles. All of the group managed the challenge, each of them helping to motivate each other

and working well as a team.

Once at the top of this spectacular pass they had a mini snowball fight and enjoyed hot chocolate and biscuits.

That night the group camped on the beach at Applecross.  

On the third day the pupils cycled the coastal road to Torridon where again they 'wild camped" in very windy conditions.

And on the fourth and final day they completed their cycle to Kinlochewe.  

The group were accompanied by Lornshill teachers Emma Dawson and Jay Burgess.

Emma said, 'The group were fantastic working as a team and everyone pulling together. Both myself and Jay are very proud of the group. We are really pleased with what they have achieved.'

The Lornshill Academy Gold Award Group are now planning to do their actual expedition in June, cycling from Ullapool to John O"Groats in four days while carrying all of their equipment - tents, food, sleeping bags etc - and being completely self sufficient.

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This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 07 May 09

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