By Tom Degun

June 15 - Bagpipes were playing and primary schoolchildren were cheering loudly to give a huge welcome to the Deloitte Ride Across Britain cyclists as they left Gretna and made their way into England after spending the first three-and-a-half days of the ride cycling through Scotland.



It was the longest day of the ride with cyclists covering the 130 miles between East Renfrewshire and Ullswater, going via Moffat, Annan, Gretna and Carlisle.

However, the 600 cyclists were lifted as a small army of well wishers cheered them on as they crossed the Scotland/England border during the afternoon.

The group next face a 114 mile cycle that will take them through the Lake District to Manchester.

They go by Windermere and Garstang before heading by Preston, Bolton, Wigan and Warrington.

One of the most recognisable cyclists, Paralympic gold medalist Jody Cundy, took time out of the ride to visit Eaglesham Primary School in East Renfrewshire and congratulate youngsters who have been awarded the Cycle Friendly Award Scheme by Cycling Scotland.

He said: "It was fantastic to be greeted by such enthusiasm throughout the day.

"The children at Eaglesham Primary School were brilliant and really enthusiastic about cycling.

"Later on we were cheered on by pupils at Gretna Primary School.

"It is support like this that keeps the riders going on what was a second very tough day in a row.

"The landscape so far has been breathtaking and we’re looking forward to heading on through the Lake District and to Manchester."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
June 2010: Riders battle through the rain on day two of Deloitte Ride Across Britain
June 2010: Paralympic champions join Deloitte Ride Across Britain
November 2009: Storey to lead Deloitte Ride Across Britain