Seaton man sets off on cycle and canoe fundraiser from Edinburgh to Exmouth

Alistair Cope, 55-year-old father of three, is tomorrow embarking on a solo mission from Edinburgh to Exmouth with only a bicycle and a canoe.

The keen cyclist, from Seaton, runs Velo Vintage and embraces the unusual.

He plans to tow a flax-covered canoe behind his bike and, upon finding water, put the Pashley Bicycle into the canoe and start paddling!

Alistair has been working on the project for a few years, coming up with the idea after circumnavigating the UK coastline by bicycle in 2010.

The journey consists of approximately 300 miles on water with 111 locks to negotiate and 390 miles on land.

Everything will be carried in the canoe, including all of Alistair’s camping, cycling and canoeing equipment.

So, although not a stranger to adventure, this trip will be a unique challenge testing Alistair at every paddle.

In anticipation of the journey tomorrow, he told The Exeter Daily:

“I’m just driving up to Edinburgh with my daughter Rachel with mixed emotions. It will be the last time I see her for about a year as she's off to New Zealand!

“I'm also, as usual just before an adventure, thinking I should have worked harder on my fitness and have I packed everything I need!”

Alistair’s route covers Edinburgh, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, York, Doncaster, Nottingham, Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon, Gloucester, Exeter and Exmouth. He is due to start at 8.30am on 16 August and finish on Saturday 14 September 2013.

When asked “How long will it take?” Alistair replied, “About 4 weeks as, although I can really press on when cycling, canoeing this style of boat is quite slow. They’re going to be long days, but I am crossing most of middle England on water, so it should be fascinating”.

Most importantly, Alistair is raising funds for three charities. Headway Devon and Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education are based near to him in Exeter and will get 90% of the donations. He is also raising funds for Blesma and 10% will be allocated to this charity, which helps men and women who have lost limbs and the use of limbs or the loss of eyesight in the service of our country.

Alistair said: “I'm delighted that my challenge is getting so much attention for the two Exeter-based charities: Headway Devon and Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education.”

Alistair has also had support from two local shops in Devon: Saddles and Paddles of Exeter, and Bikelands of Exmouth.

If you happen to be on his route, he apparently won’t turn down the offer of a bed, shower or even just a slice of cake if it is offered!

You can donate and follow Alistair’s progress via his website: www.papete.co.uk