Graham takes on three legs for cycle challenge

Charities to benefit in triple run of unusual events

A Dundee man has embarked on a cycling challenge which has already taken him across the high seas.

Graham Letford, 61, is taking part in a tri-cyclathon to raise money for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire charities and good causes fund.

The first challenge took place on the back of a boat from Arbroath Harbour to the Bell Rock Lighthouse which is just over 11 miles off the Angus coast.

Mr Letford’s bike was strapped to the boat but he ended up black and blue after falling off in high winds, which eventually forced the boat to turn back and abandon the challenge.

He tried again in calmer seas last week and finally managed to complete the first stage. He will now attempt a rickshaw ride for the second leg. Mr Letford will cycle the rickshaw from Dundee to Arbroath on Sunday, stopping at every lodge on the way to pick up passengers for a small donation.

The final challenge is the 26-mile Dundee cyclathon.

Mr Letford said: “Thankfully there was a break in the weather with calmer seas after the first attempt to cycle on board Polar Swankie’s boat from Arbroath Harbour to the Bell Rock Lighthouse and return.

“The Bell Rock Lighthouse was a welcome and wonderful sight and rightly deserves its place as one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.

“To date over £2,500 has been pledged and donated to which all monies go to local charities and good causes.”

Tomorrow Graham will cycle from Dundee to Arbroath on a rickshaw kindly supplied by Jimmy Marr of City Cabs.

He will stop at every masonic lodge, 20 in total, to receive donations already pledged from the lodges.

Graham Letford aboard his rickshaw with sponsor-passenger Jimmy Marr, of City Cabs.