Hebridean Challenge

(Claire Antley, Frank Antley, Steve Armour, Don Asher, Gerry Evans, Alistair Grant, John Hannah, Pat Leonard, Colin McGregor, Murray McGregor, Tracey McGregor, Iain McIntyre, Ian MacKay, Ken McKen, Noel McPartlin, Graham Milton, Andrea Morrell, Bernie Morrell, Dave Morris, Shelia Scott, Davie Small, Dave Stewart, Laurie Stewart, Douglas Sutherland, Walter Sutherland, Malcolm Thomson, James Wiseman).

 

Follow our blog at http://hebrideanchallenge.wordpress.com/ or go to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/343985279009060/ 

 

On 8 September 2012, a group of cyclists from the Elgin area (average age almost 60!) set off from Elgin to complete a very demanding 7 day cycle.  The group headed to Aviemore, Fort William and Oban before setting sail for Castlebay in Barra.  From there the group cycled the full length of the Outer Hebrides before catching a ferry to Ullapool and cycling back to Elgin via Inverness.  At the same time, members of Number 5 Force Protection Wing, RAF Lossiemouth (5 Force Protection Wg HQ, 51 Squadron RAF Regiment and 2622 (Highland) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment), who are serving at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan also undertook the same 400 mile journey albeit it on exercise bikes in the gymnasium.

 

A number of the cyclists taking part in this challenge have been very much affected by cancer – one of the Moray group and a member of 51 Squadron are currently in remission following lengthy spells of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and others have or had loved ones’ who have suffered from the disease.  They inspired us to raise as much money as we can for Cancer Research UK.

 

We knew the ride would be a challenge but we didn’t imagine quite what that meant until we were put to the test. 

 

We cycled in fine weather for the first three days – although constantly into draining head winds.  By days four and five, (Isles of Barra – Eriskay – S and N Uist to Stornoway on Lewis) we were starting very early in the mornings to make sure of catching ferries, and cycling in worsening weather.  In Uist the rain was stingingly cold and piercing and the wind made conditions quite dangerous – we were blown across the road regularly by a 33mph side/face on wind (gusting over 40mph).  Days six and seven, back on the mainland, were wet and windy but at last we had the wind at our backs to push us home.  

 

We had a few tumbles – two sets of broken/cracked ribs, ripped fingers (a two bike crash; a nasty cattle grid incident), a bad case of road rash (failure to stop on day one) and a few shredded nether regions.  

 

But we achieved our goal!  One in three of us will get cancer at some point in our lives, but cancer need not be a death sentence.  Screening, earlier detection and improved treatments have all improved survival rates.  Thanks to advances in cancer research, thousands of people who wouldn't have survived cancer 10 years ago are still here today.

 

By supporting Cancer Research UK you can help change the statistics in future for all kinds of cancer. We know it can make a difference.

 

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