WARE, England — As the rumors swirled in the spring that the Vikings could potentially play across the pond once again, longtime fan John Macdonald halfheartedly declared on a podcast that he would bike to the game if that was indeed the case.

Then the NFL released the schedule, announcing the Vikings would be a part of an unprecedented international swing featuring a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Croke Park in Dublin, then another against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

As the vice president of the UK and Ireland Minnesota Vikings Fan Club, Macdonald knew he had to follow through on his declaration. He decided he would attend the game at Croke Park, then bike nearly 400 miles and attend the game Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

All to raise money for a good cause.

The excursion has aptly been named the Purple Pedal, and all proceeds go to Mind, an organization working across the UK to raise awareness about mental health. It’s become common practice for the UK and Ireland Minnesota Vikings Fan Club to do some sort of charity event each time the Vikings play across the pond.

“We all know somebody who been affected by mental health,” Macdonald said. “Most of us have probably been affected ourselves.”

The journey for Macdonald started more than a week ago, because he had to bring his trusty Trek mountain bike with him. He left his native Ashford, England, took a train to Holyhead, Wales, then hopped on a ferry to Dublin, all with the hopes of watching the Vikings beat the Steelers.

With the Vikings on the verge of being blown out at Croke Park over the weekend, however, Macdonald remembers leaning back in his seat, crossing his arms and joking to himself that maybe he made a mistake.

“I was sitting there when we were down, like, ‘How am I going to motivate myself to bike nearly 400 miles next week?’” Macdonald said with a laugh. “Thankfully, the Vikings made a game of it and made the Steelers sweat a little bit, so that that gave me a little bit of a kick.”

Not long after the Vikings suffered a 24-21 loss to the Steelers, the trek from Croke Park to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium began.

The route features him biking between 50 to 60 miles on each leg with overnight stops in Llandudno, Wales, Chester, England, Cannock, England, Warwick, England and Leighton Buzzard, England.

If everything goes according to plan, Macdonald will finish his journey Saturday, get some sleep, then watch the Vikings play the Browns.

“I figured if we had this little spotlight on us right now, why not try to raise as much awareness as we can?” Macdonald said. “It’s all about giving back to the community as much as we can.”

It’s been a smashing success so far as Macdonald has raised more than £3,000, which equates to more than $4,000. Those wanting to support the mission can donate at online by searching “The Purple Pedal” on www.justgiving.com.

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