David Fox-Pitt
#Challenge175 / #COLL24 "The Eagle has landed"
Fundraising for Glenalmond College
Story
Having completed the Land's End to John O' Groats Challenge in 11 Days during August 2019 on my Penny Farthing I thought it was time to brush the dust off the saddle and take it on another mission.
Why have I called it "The Eagle has landed challenge"? I plan to ride my Penny Farthing following a spectacular but hilly Highland route covering 175km in one day. I’ve always been fascinated by Roman history so to add to the adventure my route takes me past the sites of five Roman camps - part of the Glen Blocker Fort system. I want to explore a plausible route taken by the Ninth Legion which vanished without trace on entering the Highlands and lost it’s Eagle Standard. Is the name “Lix Toll” in Glenogle actually an abbreviation of “Legion IX”? This challenge will be the toughest single day on a Penny Farthing I have ever undertaken and will start and finish from Glenalmond College.
Why Glenalmond? As a member of the Council at Glenalmond College I am supporting a campaign Transform 175 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the school - fundraising will provide full bursaries for young people with talent and ability, children who would not otherwise have access to the education and opportunities that Glenalmond can give. The pandemic is disproportionately effected the life chances of young people and this is just one of the initiatives I'm involved in to make a difference. Me? A Kilt? A Roman helmet and the lost Legion IX? All on a Penny Farthing? Now that's something that's never been done before.
