Hoy in ‘cycle for homeless people’ plea
Sir Chris Hoy has urged more cyclists to join him in efforts to build two new villages for homeless people.
The Olympic hero will lead a group of cyclists from Glasgow to Edinburgh in a bid to raise £1 million for the charity Social Bite.
But Sir Chris wants countless others of all ages and abilities to get involved in the drive to build supported communities in London and Glasgow.
The 60-mile ride sets off from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow on September 5 and finishesneartheflagshipsocial Bite Village in Granton, Edinburgh.
Sir Chris said: "We have got about 600 so far. We are looking to get 1,000 people.
"We are going from Glasgow toedinburghand90percentof thetimeyougetatailwindgoing that way, so it should be quite a fun ride.
"You are going to be in a big group of people, it's not all super-serious cyclists, it will be all kind of people on all kinds of bikes. It will be a really fun day. We can guarantee the weather will be fantastic too, that's a given...
"It's going to be a celebration, it's going to be fun, and we are going to raise £1 million, which is going to have a direct impact on many people's lives.
"We have unlimited numbers online joining from anywhere in the world. There's a virtual platform,zwift,thatpeoplecan join on. The more the merrier."
The six-time Olympic championhasalongassociationwith Social Bite, previously taking part in sleep-outs.
"With the Social Bite cafe and buildingthevillages,it'snotjust astickingplasteroverawound," hesaid."it'sthinkingabouthow they can solve the problem.
"Itisincrediblewhattheyhave achieved so far but they are a long way from being done. But they are aiming to end homelessness.peoplekindoflaughed
at that at the beginning but you see how far they have come.
"Even just meeting people whose lives have been changed and the work that's been done, the money that's been raised,
that's what really inspires you to keep going because you can see it is making a difference.
"Peoplehaveanimageintheir headaboutwhathomelessness looks like and what type of person is a homeless person. And youmeetallkindsofpeopleand realisethere'sawholemyriadof reasons why people find themselves on the streets. It challenges your preconceptions."