Cyclists will remember Rachel on 209-mile fundraiser
FOUR men from Moray are embarking on a cycling challenge from John O'Groats to Hopeman this weekend with the aim of covering the distance of 209 miles over a single day.
Roy Cook and Pete Richardson, from Hopeman, will set off alongside friends Ed Dunbar and Terry Millard, from Duffus, on Saturday (July 27), with another team member, Andy Middlecoate, providing vehicle support.
They hope to complete the journey within 15 hours.
The riders are raising funds for Cancer Research in memory of friend Rachel Reid (Shallcross), formerly of Reay, who died of cancer in May, and for family and friends who are experiencing cancer and those lost to the disease.
Ed said: "Rachel was a well-known, active member of the community, a loving mother, wife and good friend. She is sorely missed by us all.
"She knew of our planned ride but, sadly, was taken too soon, aged 50. This has made us more determined than ever to complete the challenge and raise as much money as we can for Cancer Research, which is a charity that meant a lot to Rachel.
"Maybe, with our help, cancer can be beaten sooner."
Rachel knew of our planned ride but, sadly, was taken too soon. This has made us more determined than ever to complete the challenge.
Ed added: "We are taking a route from John O'Groats that avoids the A9 and A96 for safety reasons. Camping the night before, we will set off early, around 6am, taking a short pit stop at Rachel’s family home in the village of Reay and we will pass though Altnaharra, Lairg, Bonar Bridge, Dingwall and Muir of Ord before Inverness, thereafter taking the back road via Culloden, Cawdor and Brodie, with a planned finish at Hopeman harbour on the evening of the 27th.
"We are wishing for a fine day with a tail wind – but we all know what Scottish weather can be like."
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