Arriving on the stunning Stirling university campus we were aware that our carbon footprints, in the shape of four car tyres, had been ratcheted up somewhat.

But then we were comforted to discover that The Friend's financial man Roy Prockter had lowered our overall total with his magnificent gesture - the whole journey, from Thorpe le Soken in Essex to Stirling, a total of 960 kilometres (560 miles to those of us EU unadjusted), on his three-wheeled bike!

This extraordinary vehicle was parked in the marquee for all to admire. It is a Longstaff trike to which Roy has ingeniously fixed his own Satnav system, a university layout picture on a small screen and a rolling road-to-road instruction panel fixed to the handlebars.

There's a rear view mirror and plenty of room to attach all manner of personal items Roy would need for the trek. On most of his overnight stops the trike was 'garaged', probably by B&B owners somewhat in awe of their wiry guest.

Roy started out for Stirling on Saturday 14 July and arrived - one and a half hours ahead of schedule - on Saturday 21 July. He cycled up a rain-sodden England (not much better in Scotland) but always staying just ahead of the showers. 'I only got soaked once,' he told us.

Labels: tricycle prockter summergathering