The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Round-the-world cyclist halted by stay in Perth Prison on his first day in Scotland.
Kirriemuir man spent 48 days on the road and his nights sleeping in a hammock to raise cash for charities
A world champion rower from Angus swapped paddles for pedals for an 8,000km cycle through the North American continent to raise money for three good causes.
Kirriemuir’s Sam Scrimgeour set off in early October and spent 48 days cycling from Key West, in the Florida Keys, to Vancouver, via the Grand Canyon, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Yosemite and more.
Sam took on the challenge after retiring from rowing and raised money for charities supporting athletes and an active lifestyle – Sustrans, the British Heart Foundation and SportsAid Scotland.
He said: “With changes being made in the Olympic rowing programme for lightweight men, I decided to retire from rowing, and thought it would be good to start a new journey.”
Despite his upbringing in Angus, Sam admitted the changeable conditions were his biggest test.
“The thing that challenged the most was the weather,” he said. “There was a lot of rain in Oregon. The wind off the Pacific hits you.
“That was a huge contrast between the south, where it was hot and humid in Florida, desert in Texas, and then rain and wind further north.”
To maximise the amount raised for his chosen charities, Sam slept in a hammock each night and didn’t spend any money on accommodation during the journey.
He said his chosen charities support causes close to his own heart. “Sports Aid Scotland helps athletes financially before they get a chance to be on a programme. I would have liked that coming up if I knew about them,” he said.
“Sustrans works towards creating more cycle paths and the British Heart Foundation promotes an active lifestyle and I believe in the mental and physical benefits of exercise.”
Donations can be made at justgiving. com/fundraising/sam-scrimgeour.