The Riders
Wil ‘Billy Tumble’ Tunnell
Captain Wil is better known for his prowess in falling off a bike rather than travelling for hundreds of miles in short measure. Wil is a veteran of Doddie Rides having shivered his way from Edinburgh to Cardiff with the 801 in 2022, and is nervously looking forward to this new Continental challenge. When safely away from his bike Wil gets his pencils out for his day job as an Architect.
‘Unlike Doddie and many others cruelly hit with MND we are lucky enough to be able to set out on this crazy adventure. If I fall off I will get back back on. It’s so important that we help support the search for a cure. Rome or bust!’
John ‘McSlow’ Mucklow
John is ironically known for his speed and reliability on the bike. The baby of the team, being under 50, the rest are relying on him to compensate for their creaking bodies. The only drawback with John is that he is too skinny to offer much wind protection at the front of a group, something he makes up for in consistent positive spirit. John likes computers and cats.
‘It may not be some people’s idea of fun cycling from Scotland to Rome in the depths of winter, and come to think of it it isn’t mine either.’
Tony ‘Massif’ Thorne
Tony is the ‘Massif’ in the 801 Massif, providing the heavy engines that will propel the team through the potentially brutal weather. Immune to cold and fatigue he will tirelessly do the work of all four men when called upon. No one is really sure what Tony does for a living but it involves smoke and mirrors.
‘Can’t be too hard can it?’ says Tony. ‘I mean it’ll be better than riding around Fife, or Dundee. But seriously I’m terrified of the long days in the saddle and lack of sleep. It’ll all be worthwhile though as long as we raise a good amount for the fight against MND.’
Mike ‘Woody’ Brown
Mike, is a northern interloper from Montvelo CC. Mike works as a dentist and when not working or cycling enjoys working with his horses.
Despite usurping John ‘McSlow’ Mucklow as baby of the group Mike will very much still be relying on him to compensate for a very creaking body, but does promise to at least make a decent wind break. Although Mike has taken part in some borderline daft challenges on the bike, he’s never done anything like this before but is looking forward to getting his own teeth into it.
“I’m not sure the enormity of the challenge has quite sunk in yet but as tough as it undoubtedly will be the suffering will be temporary and every pound we raise will hopefully get us slightly closer to cure for MND”
Dave ‘Wolfy’ Stuart
Dave is also an interloper from Montvelo CC. Dave is retired but always keen to tell everyone he’s too young and isn’t a real pensioner.
Dave is secretary of his cycling club and revels in introducing new and yet more outrageous cycling challenges each year. He is often heard saying, a hard day on the bike is better than an easy day at work. But riding to Rome in a week never featured in his thinking.
“As a late entrant to the team, I’m a little overwhelmed by the size of the challenge but delighted to have joined such a well organised team, all taking on a big challenge for an extremely worthy cause.”
The Support Team
Clockwise from left to right:
Jonathan ‘Logistics’ Tunnell
Jonathan, as a professional musician and orchestra manager is more used to herding musicians and putting on events than organising cyclists but “what could possibly be more difficult than dealing with all those artistic types” he asks.
He would rather be out in his boat fishing and is mostly coming on the trip to wind his brother up.
“It’s a fantastic cause and I’ve long wanted to get involved in one of these capers” he says.
Andrew ‘Numbers’ Scott
Andrew likes to fish and golf. He likes to travel, preferably to quiet and remote places. He also loves cars and great drives. Why he has volunteered to drive 1,500 miles at 15mph behind a load of bikes escapes him.
“I met Doddie and know a great cause when I see one – so I’m up for the adventure and raising lots of money to fight MND.” He promises not to get frustrated and overtake all the bikes.
Ian ‘Transport & IT’ McArdle
Having spent a life in the madness of IT, Ian was sitting happily retired when the challenge to support this adventure was issued.
In his own words – “I’ve supported a number of smaller challenges in the past, but this really is the big one. Doddie has been a huge inspiration to many, and this fund-raising experience recognises that MND needs a lot more cash for support and research. I’m honoured to be part of the team.”
Very thankful that he’s not getting on a bicycle, he’s really looking forward to the trip. Ian will kindly be bringing his camper van ‘Aunt Sally’ with him as one of the support vehicles, acting as cook and bottle washer making sure the riders, and the support team, are fed and watered along the way.