Northern lights send off for Doddie cycle challenge

The team was ferried over the Cuan Sound by The Grey Dog, a vessel owned by Luing’s Cadzow family, before saddling up for the first miles through Seil and onto Oban travelling through Dalmally, Crianlarich, Callander, Bridge of Allan, and over the Forth Road Bridge before stopping at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh on the first leg, riding in continuous relay.

Rob and his team were guests at Oban Lorne RFC’s open day, picking up a cheque for £34,294.

The challenge has already raised more than £400,000 with donations continuing to flood in. 

In addition to the cycling teams, who will travel the full distance or in relay with any route permitted, rugby fans and supporters of the foundation have also been urged to join the journey to the Italian capital by any means necessary – foot, road, train, boat, or plane. 

All those involved will congregate in the Piazza Navona on Friday, March 8 for a celebration in honour of 61-cap Scotland legend Weir, before meeting again on the Saturday at noon (CET) to march together from Piazza Del Popolo to the Stadio Olympico for the Cuttitta Cup clash. 

The first cyclist to depart for Rome on February 21 was dad-of-seven Roy Thorburn, 63, from Coll, who left from Murrayfield and is one of the only cyclists taking on the whole journey solo. He has cycled more than 120 miles per week in training, including at least 42 circumnavigations of Coll in preparation, and so far raised more than £3,000.

All Roads Lead to Rome will be Rob Wainwright’s fifth major fundraising cycle for the foundation, which included last year’s Doddie 555 from Cardiff to Murrayfield that raised more than £820,000.

He said: “Doddie was an icon in the rugby world and the MND community, and has united an army of supporters in pursuit of a world free of the disease. It’s a tragedy he is no longer here – and we all miss him so much – but it’s up to us to take on the mantle and continue his mission until we have beaten MND. We won’t stop until that happens. 

“So much progress has been made since Doddie’s diagnosis, but there remains a huge distance to go. There are still no treatment prospects, but we are getting closer and there is hope for a breakthrough soon. We need to keep MND in the spotlight, and All Roads Lead to Rome is as much about raising awareness for the MND community as it is about digging deep to raise money for vital research – the only thing that will ultimately lead to an end to this devastating disease.

To donate to All Roads Lead To Rome visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/all-roads-lead-to-rome&source=gmail&ust=1709650604399000&usg=AOvVaw3hhjw7mKHs-99GaUQNBwdQ">justgiving.com/campaign/all-roads-lead-to-rome.