Scotsman pedals to Denia - Costa Blanca News Article

By Joe Wickman
Michael Brawley finally arrived at his sister Eileen's house last Saturday concluding his mounth-long cycling journey from Hamilton (Scotland) to Denia.
The atmosphere was full of expectation as the time of his arrival approached on the sunny Saturday that greeted everyone; cameras were taken out of the cases and cava was prepared on the tables.
Soon after, Eileen received a text message confirming Michael's arrival in Denia, which brought all conversations to a halt and a certain sense of tension to her lovely garden.
After a short delay (due to a demonstration, coincidentally, about the importance of using bikes as a means of transport) Michael finally appeared at the bottom of the street that leads up to the house and everyone began cheering him on and taking photographs.
As he, and many cyclists from Denia and Valencia who joined him on the last stretch of the way, entered the gates of the house, he was surprised to be greeted not only by the Spanish branch of the family, but also Scottish relatives who had flown over specially for the occasion.
Surprises and emotions were followed by Denia's sports councillor awarding him with a print of the town's castle.
Michael then shared a first set of anecdotes, but in the back of everyone mind reigned the happiness of seeing the 60 year old safe and sound after this feat.
It all started when he caught a ferry from Scotland and cycled through Belgium, France and Finally from Barcelona to Denia, meeting people including Miguel Indurain and a 76 year old who was embarking on a similar adventure.
Michael says he'd start over again tomorrow if possible and he feels fitter than ever, but he and his wife will be returning to Scotland to pick up their day-to-day lives.... until he decides to go for another bike ride.
jwickman@cbnews.es