Dawn returns from world trip
Warm welcome after charity cycle
A Stirling woman has returned to the city after successfully completing an epic round-theworld cycle.
Chemical engineer Dawn Logan (31) pedalled her way around the globe alongside Claire Glover (37) crossing 25 different countries – as they completed the challenge and raised over $37,000 (around £29,000) for the United States-based Pencils of Promise charity.
Dawn began the trip at her family home at Manorneuk Farm, near Craigmill, last August. She cycled almost 500 miles down to Poole, Dorset, Claire’s home, and the pair set off from there for Dover. They crossed to Calais and cycled across Europe.
The duo wrapped up the European leg of the tour by Christmas.
Speaking to the Observer on her return home, Dawn said: “My favourite country was Bosnia. It was absolutely beautiful with amazing mountains. When you think of Bosnia that’s not the sort of thing you think of, but it was absolutely amazing.
“It was really cold for the final month or so. It was freezing from November as we went through Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
“We had all types of weather. We set off in July in 30 degree heat and ended in the snow.”
During the next leg of the trip, the pair cycled their way across Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan.
Dawn added: “After all of the months, it takes a lot to get by, and when you don’t speak the language in most of the places it was so much harder.
“Japan was pretty incredible. It was respectful and peaceful and we felt very safe there and some of the scenery was amazing.”
Dawn and Clair also faced some treacherous under–wheel conditions on certain roads through Asia, particularly in Cambodia, but they took in the sights that Asia had to offer, making trips to see a pristine Thai temple and a traditional Cambodian food market.
From Asia, they headed to North America, cycling from Oregon in the Pacific Northwest to New York on the east coat.
Dawn said: “America was an absolutely huge leg for us. Cycling across some of the states you realise how big it actually is. Montana is bigger than a lot of the countries we cycled through.”
They made their way across the Rocky Mountains, also taking in the American prairies and in New York, they made a special visit to the Pencils of Promise headquarters.
From New York, they travelled to Northern Ireland then got the ferry to Scotland and cycled north, back to Dawn’s family farm.
At the farm, they were greeted by Dawn’s proud family.
Following her return she said: “It’s been quite the journey. It has been very emotional.
“We cycled back up home along the Forth and Clyde Canal and up past Denny. As we came up I saw Dumyat and I got a little bit teary eyed. Then as we got closer to the farm I could hear the bagpipes and again I got emotional.
“It’s more of mental strength you need than physical.”
Following the get–together, near Craigmill, Claire cycled back to Poole, completing her round–the–world adventure.
Donations to the incredible charity effort are still open until the end of the month.
To donate go to https:// fundraise.pencilsofpromise.org/ fundraiser/989572.