'Tremendous success' of Edinburgh Dawn Patrol as epic Doddie Weir fundraiser ride launched
Cyclists in novel early morning circuits of capital set sights on 800-mile Dublin challenge
An early morning group cycle ride round Edinburgh twice a week has been hailed a “tremendous success” as some of its regulars prepare to join an 800-mile fundraiser in memory of former Scottish rugby international Doddie Weir.
The Edinburgh Dawn Patrol leaves St Andrew Square at 5.40am on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a 19-mile circuit of the capital which has attracted up to 30 cyclists since being launched a year ago.
The free, turn-up-and-go activity is believed to be the only one of its type in the UK and inspired by similar rides in Oslo which started in 2018.
The 80-minute trips via Portobello and Holyrood Park end with breakfast in a city centre cafe.
Nine of the cyclists are now planning a special "Doddie Dawn Patrol" from Melrose, where he played, to Dublin to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND), with which he was diagnosed six years before he died in 2022, aged 52.
Dawn Patrol organiser Markus Stitz told The Scotsman: “It has been a tremendous success, which has which has developed into a lovely social group, on and off bike.
“When I joined the Oslo Dawn Patrol I thought that something similar could work well in Edinburgh - I am a professional route planner and have worked on many cycling projects over the years.
“It’s a community of like-minded people, like the one in Oslo. I have met some incredible folk through this - and everyone in the group has an equal share of the success of the ride
“It’s proof that cycling can be an incredible social activity - and the spark to bring people together for activities off the bike. We have an annual gathering in a pub and a Christmas social.”
Fellow rider Mark Baker, who will take part in the Doddie fundraiser, said: "It's great to get out when there's a lot less traffic on the road. But the thing that makes it special is the people I ride with - the regular faces who all share in a crazy mission starting at 5:40 am.
“When someone new comes along they're made to feel welcome in this little family of early risers. That's special and worth preserving and what makes it successful.”
Doddie Dawn Patrol captain Pauline Elizabeth said the four-day ride in March would raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, for research into effective treatments for MND.
The team will join others for the event, Doddie’s Triple Crown, which is the latest of his friend and team mate Rob Wainwright’s annual epic cycling challenges for the foundation. It will take in Leeds, Gloucester, Pembroke and Rosslare.
The Dawn Patrol’s participation followed Wainwright joining one of its rides It has set a £27,000 target on its JustGiving page.
Mr Baker said: “The squad will use the 5.40am rides as their core winter training, building endurance and teamwork.
“MND remains a devastating, terminal condition with no cure. The riders are clear that their early starts and long days in the saddle are nothing compared to what people living with MND face.”
Ms Elizabeth said: “If us showing up twice a week, rain or shine, helps fund research and keeps Doddie’s legacy in people’s minds, then it’s absolutely worth every pedal stroke.”
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