Charity cyclists complete coast to coast challenge

From The Alloa Advertiser

by Jamie MacDonald


IAIN (second left) and the rest of the group at Robin Hood Bay at the end of their cycle.

EARLY morning training sessions proved to be the key in helping Muckhart mountain biker Iain Ridell crack his cross country challenge.

The gruelling six-day, 338 kilometre, coast to coast route across central England was far from easy but Iain and seven pals completed the cycle to raise funds for the Bobath Children's Therapy Centre in Glasgow.

The centre provides help to children with cerebral palsy and has been of great benefit to Iain and his wife Marion's two-year-old daughter, Isla, who suffers from the illness.

Iain prepared for his trip with daily morning cycles to Greenknowe wind farm and he feels the regular slog stood him in good sted.

He told the Advertiser, "The cycle certainly was hard going. It was tough but good and it took us about nine hours each day. The training definitely paid off and even though it wasn't easy I felt good and was confident I could do it."

Before leaving it was the first two days on the bike that Iain was most worried about as the mountain bikers would be passing through the Lake District.

He said, "The first day was particularly tough. There were four serious hills to get over and most of it was off road, up and down very rocky routes. It meant a lot of pushing and carrying the bike."

So far, the group has raised £2500 with more funds still to come in.

"The money will go to Bobath and pays for the services and staff costs which are provided free to those that need it," said Iain. "Fundraising is pretty vital to support Bobath."

Amongst the team there were a few falls, punctures and broken spokes but it hasn't put Iain off getting back in the saddle and hitting the mountain tracks once again.

He said, "The best part of the journey was the relief and champagne reception on finishing at the end.

"We finished on Friday and I was quite keen to get on my bike again on Sunday but some of the guys were saying they would lock their bike in the shed for a while."

Iain can still be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/bobathisla