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Glasgow ride: The Wanderful Wool Tour

Written by Fiona

August 25 2016

Formerly known as the Harris Tweed Ride, the Wanderful Wool Tour takes place on Sunday September 4, 2016, in Glasgow.

Now in its sixth year, this annual fun ride inspires cyclists to wear Harris Tweed (as little or as much as you fancy) for a leisurely bike ride around the city.

The ride starts at noon in Blythswood Square and follows a route of about 10 miles via six or seven stops.

Co-organiser Paul Crawford says: “It’s a fun bike ride and we take our time to enjoy the outing. We stop at different places during the ride and enjoy a bite to eat and a small aperitif.”

The ride finishes at Blythswood Hotel where there will be more refreshments, music and a silent auction.

The ride also raises money for a worthwhile cause, with proceeds going to the Linda Norgrove Foundation.

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History of the ride

The Tweed Ride was started by Mike Donald, who used to work with Paul in Glasgow. Before he headed back to his Outer Hebrides home to become a full-time Harris Tweed weaver, Mike launched the charity ride.

Now it’s run by Paul and Mark Hogarth, creative director of Harris Tweed Hebrides. The ride has also taken place in Edinburgh a a couple of times but due to work commitments it’s on hold this year.

Paul said: “We run the ride as volunteers and around our busy jobs so we have decided to focus on Glasgow only this year. We really hope to see as many riders a possible taking to the streets on their bikes and dressed in Harris Tweed.

“The ride is usually a great spectacle and some people go to a lot of trouble with cracking outfits.”

There will be vouchers from Folk Clothing for the best male and female outfits.

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Renamed the Wanderful Wool Tour this year, the ride is sponsored by a number of organisations, including the Campaign for Wool and Hendricks Gin.

See The Wanderful Wool Tour on Facebook for details of how to buy a ticket. Or see this link for tickets.

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