Man on 400-mile bike trip to visit every whisky distillery in Wales

Andrew Forgrave

4 May 2024 at 9:48 am·2-min read

As challenges go, it sounds enticing: to visit all nine single malt distilleries in Wales. While some run marathons in costume, or scale Yr Wyddfa backwards, Robert Richardson’s test appears much more amenable.

Except that he will be cycling all the way, starting in Cardiff and finishing in Holyhead. As he aims to complete the 400-mile ride in one week, his biggest challenge will be staying dry, in both senses of the term.

Along the way he will be raising money for Wales Air Ambulance, currently in the throes of controversial efficiency reforms. A similar challenge in 2022 saw Robert raising almost £10,000 for the Scottish air ambulance – the 2,200-mile ride via Scotland’s 140-plus distilleries took seven weeks.

Despite being from the Yorkshire Dales, and now living near Edinburgh, the outdoor instructor and guide, knows Wales well. “I went to university in Liverpool and lived there for seven years,” he said. “North Wales was my playground.”

During his “Whisky Ventures Ride”, Robert is hoping that each distillery visited will donate at least one “interesting” bottle of Welsh whisky. These will be compiled into a unique whisky collection to be auctioned after the event. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here’s how to sign up

The entire ride will use GPS tracking technology so that people can follow his progress online. Robert hopes other riders will get involved, perhaps joining him for a section or riding their own routes in support.

His Whisky Ventures Ride Cymru gets underway on Thursday, May 16. He said: “After completing the original Whisky Ventures Ride in 2022, I wanted to expand this idea with the aim of eventually cycling around every whisky distillery in the UK and Ireland.

"This way I can continue to raise funds for the regional air ambulance charities which do such incredible work across the country.” There's more on Robert's challenge here, and you can follow the ride on his social media channels. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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