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Harrogate man sets off on 4,000 mile trip to seaside
A biker is heading out on the highway for the ultimate seaside trip – a marathon charity ride round the stunning British coastline.
Jonathan Skinner is covering 4,000 miles of coast in 14 days in a bid to raise 10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
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The 27-year-old catering engineer from Harrogate, who works in Wetherby, will cover around 400 miles a day on his BMW motorbike.
He will stop off only to camp under the stars, sleeping amid the beautiful backdrops of Lake Windermere, the Isle of Mull and Land's End.
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His journey will take in stunning sights and vistas, including the South East English coast, Porth Call in Swansea, the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands and the Cornish coast.
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"I'm going to be riding right in the sea's pocket," Jonathan explained. "Hence the title of this journey 'Close to the Edge', all the way around whilst camping on the coast in my little tent. I will be riding, eating, sleeping and riding again."
Jonathan has been riding motorbikes for many years but it's the first time he has taken on a long-distance journey of such epic proportions.
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The trip came about after Jonathan decided to fundraise for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust on behalf of his aunt, who had suffered from the condition for several years.
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Unfortunately she died last October at the age of just 43 as Jonathan was still planning his trip, but he is determined to complete it in her memory.
Jonathan was also partly inspired by film star Ewan McGregor and comedian Charlie Boorman, who went round the globe on their motorbikes.
Their adventures were documented on TV in two travel series, Long Way Round and Long Way Down.
"As far as I know only a handful of people have completed it," Jonathan said of his epic coastal adventure.
"I always fancied a bit of exploring.
"There was a bit of surprise from some people when I told them but my family and friends are very supportive. They always thought I was a bit mad anyway!"
You can follow Jonathan's journey online on the tour website and via Twitter and Facebook.
On the website he describes himself as "kind of Mr Average" but says with this trip he is hoping to "do something worthwhile for others, raise the profile of the charity, hopefully some money, educate people about the disease and hopefully change the Mr Average part!"
Follow Jonathan at www.closetotheedgetour.co.uk or on twitter.com/ctotheedgetour.
If you want to sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/closetotheedgetour and donate.
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Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 5 C
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Wind direction: North west
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