A mental health crusader is getting back in the saddle after a dramatic fall in Perth foiled his cross-Britain cycle.
Josh Quigley, who has been riding across the world to raise awareness of suicide prevention, came a-cropper during his latest challenge, to get from Lands End to John O’Groats in just one week.
After making it to Scotland in five days, the 24-year-old went over his handlebars on the edge of Perth, striking his head on the ground and leaving him severely concussed.
In a video recorded for Facebook as he was en route to hospital, Josh — known as the Tartan Explorer — said he can’t remember how he got to Perth.
“I don’t have a clue what I’ve been doing,” he said. “I know my name’s Josh and that is about it. I’m trying to work out where I’ve been and what I’m doing.
“I know that I’m doing some kind of cycle. I’m so concussed, its unbelievable.”
Josh was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary by touring companion and “support vehicle” driver Cameron Houston. A series of tests and X-rays found no major damage, but the accident has put him out of action for a few days.
Recovering at his home in Livingston, Josh said he was still feeling bruised and concussed, but determined to get back in the saddle.
“My original plan was to maybe get back out on the bike this week and maybe do the final two days,” he said.
“But I’m not sure, because I don’t know how I’m going to be.”
He added: “I was making good progress and I was going to hit John O’ Groats by the seven day target, which was absolutely brilliant given I’d never cycled that kind of distance before.
“When I’m feeling better, I’ll just go back to Perth and finish those final two days.”
The cycle, which was launched as part of mental health awareness week, was sponsored by AM Bid Services.
Josh has previously spoken out about how he tried to take his own life in a car crash in 2015. After surviving the suicide attempt, he decided to fight to raise awareness of mental health issues.
For more details of his campaign visit Josh’s tartanexplorer.com website.
* For more on this story see Wednesday’s Courier, also available as a digital edition.
