Newsflash!
2026 has got off to a flying start with the launch of Pete`s Virtual Cycle to Kenya for Maasai Girls Education Project. Its a three year journey he`s on - not bad for a 78 year old! The wheels are turning already - more info at:
Peter Wright is fundraising with JOSEPH THOMSON MAASAI TRUST
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two wheels and a tent
Having done so much hiking over the years and carrying a heavy ruck sac, on top of having had a childhood injury to his right ankle, the joint finally disintegrated. But with the wonders of modern surgery and within the equally wonderful NHS, Peter had the ankle joint fused and took up long distance bike-camping instead. The engagement with nature from two wheels is `richly fulfilling` he tells us, along with all the other benefits and pleasures of strenuous physical activity.
The planned schedule of big bike-camping ventures continues of course. In the past decade or so however, his pedalling and camping challenges have been many and varied. Included in this have been Scotland coast-to-coast by at least six different routes, from the Clyde/Tweed in the south to Ardgay/Ullapool in the north. Scotland end-to-end has featured at least 4 times over the years, plotting a different variation on that theme each time. In 2023 the most demanding was crossing the southern Cairngorms from Blair Athol to Braemar and then finishing up in Aberdeen. The high Corrieyairack Pass has been crossed twice, south to north on each occasion.
A favourite has been testing out whether a track or path, marked on the map actually exists on the ground. This inquisitive approach has taken him and his bike across bogs, through an almost impenetrable tangle of wind-blow, and over boulder fields aplenty. All part of the septuagenarian challenge, apparently.
Bike-camping interview, May 2024
Generally, however, the routes chosen to have included roads major and minor, tracks, trails, paths, beaches, and former railway lines. Sustrans, has of course played a valuable part in all this. Camping locations have covered the full spectrum, from wild moors to commercial sites. In between all this, there`s been a few back gardens, the lee of a church, and under the odd bridge or two. The occasional bothy has come in handy, and on very few occasions, the luxury of staying in a hostel has appealed.
During Covid and lockdown, Peter was undeterred, as he did a virtual 26-day Scotland end-to-end, sitting on an exercise bike on the patio in his back garden. This venture can be followed on YouTube here:
Logistics are crucial to the success of each venture, with planning, communication, food drops, and even calling in a few favours from generous hearted folk along the way.
Charity fundraising usually comes into the picture for each venture; charities or causes close to Peter`s heart. Though no grand total raised exists, it seems likely that it would exceed £50k in the last decade. This is no small achievement, and is testament to the inspiration that he generates, and the generosity that somehow follows. Peter feels that people are at the heart of all this and are with him all the way – as their generous donations show.
Upper Glen Tilt near Falls of Tarff, 2019
Big Plans for 2026!
Bike-camping to the
Extremities of Scotland
Date Day Start To Distance Mode
Apr 23/24: Kilmarnock (my birthplace) to Home, 79th Birthday Bash
May 28: Home to Oban by train
29: Oban to Tarbert
30: Tarbert to Mull of Kintyre
31: Mull to Claonaig
June 1: Across Arran to Brodick
June 2: Irvine to Glasgow & train home
Total: 299 Km (or more)
June 18: Home to Lochailort by train
19: Lochailort to Ardnamurchan
20: Ardnamurchan to Glenfinnan
21: Cont`d
22: Glenfinnan to Home by train
Total 162 Km (or more)
July 6: Home to Lairg by train
7: Lairg to Durness
8: Cont`d
9 Durness t0 Cape Wrath (ret)
10 Durness to Dunnet Head
11 Cont`d
12 Dunnet to Duncansby & Thurso
13 Thurso to home by train
Total: 329 Km (or more)
Cycling to Kenya (virtually)
Over 3 Years.
Yes that`s right, 2026 - 2029, I`ll aim to be out almost every single day, here in Scotland. Clocking up all of the distances covered, using Strava, the plan is to accumulate all the distance to Kajiado, in Kenya. By the time I finish, I`ll be into my 80`s!.
So I`ll be making a huge effort, and therefore will be making quite a nuisance of myself, to raise necessary funds for the Maasai Girls Education Project.
There`ll be monthly bulletins on Facebook, Instagram and on www.maasaigirlseducationproject.com. This will hone in on the virtual location reached by that point - using a bit of assistance from AI, courtesy of my grand-nephew Finn Campbell.
A great story to be told here . . .
The end of the Eight River Valleys of Dumfries and Galloway,July 2023