Boss Dean Ryan is getting on his bike next month for a tough charity challenge in aid of a former team-mate Doddie Weir and his foundation.
While most have been taking things easy over the festive period, Ryan and a bunch of former team-mates have been heading out in all weathers to prepare for a ride that will see them cover a huge 515 miles in just 48 hours.
Ryan is a member of the ‘Melrose Falcons’ team that will head off from Edinburgh’s BT Murrayfield Stadium three weeks from today - on Thursday, February 10 - as part of a 100-strong cycling group aiming to reach Cardiff’s Principality Stadium by Six Nations kick-off.
Their mission is two-fold – to deliver the match ball in time for the Doddie Weir Cup fixture between Wales and Scotland, being held as part of this year’s Six Nations tournament, and to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Using a relay system, the teams of cyclists will endeavour to cover the distance before kick-off, with various rugby clubs along the route – including Rodney Parade - providing feed stations, medical back-up and shower facilities.
The Melrose Falcons’ line-up comprises Ryan plus Carl Hogg (Melrose & Scotland), Duncan Hodge (Watsonians & Scotland) and Craig Joiner (Melrose, Leicester & Scotland).
And Ryan has spoken about how, as former playing colleagues of Doddie, they felt inspired to take part.
“We had talked about doing a ride in Portugal but somehow it has turned into Murrayfield to Cardiff,” smiled Ryan, who won the English Premiership title alongside Weir at Newcastle.
“We’re bringing the ball down and it is 500 miles between the four of us in relay so it will be a real challenge, but I’m sure good fun too.
“I actually rode the Borders with Carl last year, so we looked to get a team together that knew Doddie to raise some awareness and money.
“We’re varying in ability so it’s going to be heads down and keep going,” he added. “We have to ride at night and there are stop offs at rugby clubs, but it is more about getting some sleep before you get back on the road.
“We’ve got a van and a sleeping bag in the back, so you get woken up for your shift and get out on the road.
“Ex-Scotland captain Rob Wainwright who has organised it is a real athlete and there were rumours he was going to do all the miles himself. I’m not contemplating that!”
Doddie Weir revealed in June 2017 he was suffering from Motor Neuron Disease (MND). The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation was established by Doddie and the trustees in response to his frustration at the lack of options given to MND sufferers.
My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has so far ploughed £6.5m into MND research in the last four years, with hope that a breakthrough in treatment will be just around the corner, in time for Doddie, and to help the countless future victims of MND.
“The foundation has been Doddie’s drive,” said Ryan. “To see a friend struck down by a disease that we know so little about has been hard, but to watch his reaction has been inspirational.
“Over £6.5m has been raised so far and he’s been able to target funding to areas that haven’t been looked at before and raise real awareness.
“To be the person that is suffering from that disease and still drive all this is a huge credit to him and his family.
“Hopefully, I will get chance to have a whiskey with him before we set sail and if we can raise some money and awareness that would be absolutely fantastic.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Dean and the Melrose Falcons, and in so doing support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, can click HERE
To see a friend struck down by a disease that we know so little about has been hard, but to watch his reaction has been inspirational...
