York to Melrose cycle ride

Two former York RFC players cycled from York to Melrose last weekend to support the Foundation.

Tom Copeland and Joe Nasson who cycled 215 miles from York RUFC to The Greenyards over 2 days to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The ride started in sweltering temperatures on 31^st July 2020 and helped with a good tail wind, they took in the sights on the Tyne River in Newcastle and completed the first 105 miles to North Shields, Tyne & Wear with plenty left in the tank for Day 2.

Joe said : "Cooler conditions on Day 2 saw a hassle free ride along the coast to Bambugh, Northumberland (60 miles) where Tom's Dad and a couple of York RUFC members, Keith and David met us with water, cake and strong coffee. This was all very civilised but belied the challenge that was to come. The remaining 50 miles was against an unrelenting head wind in the unforgiving hills of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. As legs became increasingly heavy, the final few miles were genuinely tough. Nothing compared to Doddie's and other MND sufferer’s daily struggles and with this inspiration we pressed on."

"After 110 miles on Day 2, we arrived to a very warm welcome at Greenyards in the sunshine by our families, the guys from The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the Chairman and staff of Melrose RFC. After a few pints in the club house, the pain subsiding, thoughts moved to the next fundraising challenge. Doddie, any ideas?”

A tremendous effort - many thanks to our friends at York RUFC.