A CHALLENGE that has been a decade in the making will see a Dalgety Bay man pedal the length of the country for charity.

Paul Davies, who is a member of Dunfermline Cycling Club, is preparing to ride from Land’s End to John O’ Groats in aid of Cancer Research UK.

He’s taking on the epic venture of cycling 970 miles in just nine days as part of the ‘Ride Across Britain’ event, a fully-supported ride that will see those taking part complete more than 100 miles per day on their trip between the UK mainland’s southernmost and most northern points.

Paul, 53, decided to take it on for Cancer Research UK in memory of friends and family who have been impacted by the disease, which includes his father, who he lost in 2017.

His fundraising total has already reached £1,782 and Paul, who works in the pharmaceutical industry, said: “Most people, one way or another, know people who have been impacted by cancer, so that was the driver for this fundraiser.

“It will be testing. I did 105 miles last Saturday, so I know I can do the distance, but 100 miles a day will be a challenge.

“It’s a challenge I’ve thought about doing for about a decade, and I thought that it was time to get off the work bench before I get too old!

“It will be a mental and physical challenge but I am really looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to meeting people on the way and going through places I’ve been before, and then having the family come and pick me up at John O’ Groats.”

John, who gave his thanks to his supportive wife, Audrey, for giving him the green light to go on his adventure in September, joked that he wished he could do it “sooner rather than later” as he gears himself up for months of training and endurance riding.

Before then, though, he will be able to put his feet up for another strand of fundraising next month with Dunfermline bike star Rab Wardell.

A former Commonwealth Games competitor in 2006, ex-professional mountain bike star and current cycling coach Rab will present his film charting his record-breaking ride on the West Highland Way, which he completed in 2020, on April 2 at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club.

“I’ve known Rab for about 10 years and he’s going to present his film on the back of his West Highland Way record attempt, and talk about his life in cycling,” continued Paul, who is also a member of Kinross Cycling Club and who has organised cyclocross races at Fife College.

“I hope people will be keen to come and hear him speak!”

To donate to Paul’s fundraising page, visit here.  

For tickets, which cost £5, to attend the event with Rab Wardell, visit here.