***UPDATE***

The clock is ticking and by the looks of our cover photograph, Racheal is raring to go... When Gemma hurt her knee and I was telling Rachael that I may be going solo she didn't hesitate to step forward and make sure the cycle went ahead as planned. She said, "I love a good challenge for a great cause and would hate to see all the hard work so far to be lost by an injury. We head up to Inverness two weeks tomorrow (Fri) in preparation for our start on 17th August, Yikes, time flies when you're having fun...

***UPDATE***  The story below was the original start to this challenge but I am both sad and gutted to inform you that due to injury I am no longer able to take part in the cycle.  I have torn a ligament in my knee and after much deliberation, I have made the difficult decision to step down from the cycle.  I am not sure at this moment of the extent of the injury but I do know that rest is the only way forward right now in terms of aiding my recovery.  However, not all is lost!  The challenge is still going ahead and Gogsie won't be doing it alone.  I owe a massive thank you to Rachael McDougal who has kindly offered to take my place with only 6 weeks to go and I also want to give my sincerest apologies to Gogsie for having to bail at this late stage.  Wishing you both lots of luck and strength. You'll nail it I'm sure, I just wish I was nailing it with you. Next time!  Much love, Gemma xxx

***THE ORIGINAL STORY***  There was an Englishman an Irishman and a Scotsman...only the Irishman had more sense so that just leaves me and him! 

Just shy of 9 years ago we signed up to complete a cycle challenge in the Canadian Rockies to raise money for Marie Curie, a charity close to both of our hearts. We signed up as strangers and have since become good friends. I hadn’t been on a bike for about 10 years prior to the Rockies and I don’t think I’ve been on a bike since...so the challenge will be real. Two kids later, my body isn’t what it used to be, my brain certainly isn’t what it used to be & I’m physically & mentally exhausted...what to do when feeling this way? Sign up for another challenge of course!  So I opened my big mouth and somehow got myself here, preparing to cycle 500 miles around the North Coast of Scotland in just 7 days...in August, when the weather will do whatever it likes.

A cycling challenge isn’t new to Gogsie who has done many challenges since ‘09 and raised thousands of pounds for the charity, giving up his own time to meticulously plan and prepare to ensure that the challenges can go as smoothly as possible. Although the cycling might not be as great a challenge for him, the challenge Gogsie will face is having to cycle at a much slower pace than normal to ensure I can keep up!

At a time when cancer has once again knocked at my family’s door, it gives me great motivation to get my head in the game and do all I can to raise as much money as possible for a charity that continues to provide much-needed support to hundreds of families throughout the UK.

Any amount that you can spare, big or small would mean a great deal to both of us. We promise to not let you down, in fact, it’ll be your support that spurs us on.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, we look forward to updating you all at the finish line!

Much love, Gemma and Gogsie (the English(wo)man & the Scot) xx

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