The ‘not so flying Scotsman’, is how Stuart McMillan has described himself before setting off on a 1,000-plus mile cycle ride to raise money for two Alzheimer’s charities.
Mr McMillan, whose wife Sandra was only 44 when she contracted the illness 10 years ago, hopes to cover around 80 miles a day and finish his 1,080-mile ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 12 days. He is raising money for Alzheimer’s Society which has a base in the island, and Alzheimer Scotland.
‘I’d hoped to be about a stone lighter at the start of the ride. But I expect I will be by the end,’ he said.
He’s regularly cycled long distances but says he’s not sure how he will cope doing it daily for nearly two weeks. As part of his training he has even made the ultimate sacrifice.
‘I’ve not had a pint for nine months. I’m wondering whether to complete the full year now.’
On Saturday, courtesy of the Steam Packet which has given him a free return crossing, he goes over to Liverpool then by train to Penzance ready to set out in earnest on Monday. Mr McMillan, who lives at Mount Murray and turns 55 during the trip said he was extremely grateful for the support he had received. To sponsor him log on to www.maconabike.com