After Alan retired, a spur of the moment decision led him on a 500-mile fundraising bike ride in memory of his mum Betty, who had Alzheimer's
"I’ve never been the type of person to just sit with my feet up, so when I retired earlier this year I knew I wanted a challenge. I’ve always been good on a bike, although I’d never cycled more than about 50 miles at a time. So when I signed up for the Babble Ride Across Britain, to cycle almost 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in nine days, safe to say it was a bit spur of the moment.
"It was a daunting challenge but I wanted to do it for my mum, Betty, and to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland.
"My mum died two years ago aged 83 after living with Alzheimer’s disease for quite a few years. She was such a kind woman and the sad thing is that she worked as a carer in a dementia unit in Greenock for many years, so she would’ve known what lay ahead of her when she was diagnosed.
"Mum was committed to her job and spent her life looking after others, including me and my three brothers. My dad Neil passed away a number of years ago and mum lived on her own after that. She was such a proud woman who never liked to ask for help, but it eventually became clear that she was struggling. It got to the stage where she couldn’t stay in the house any longer and she was moved into a care home.
"It was a really tough time and that’s why I wanted to do something positive. I didn’t put much thought into signing up for the Babble Ride and in hindsight I should’ve trained for longer. But at the age of 63, I finished five of the nine legs of the course, cycling around 110 miles a day for five days.
"I played football for Greenock Juniors when I was younger and have always stayed fit, but the people taking part in this challenge were on a different level. By the time I got to Carlisle, I couldn’t go on any longer and ended up in the back of a medic van wrapped in a foil blanket. It didn’t help that I hadn’t really slept for days because of the amount of energy gels and electrolytes you have to take to get you through.
"It was amazing while it lasted and I’m proud I cycled through some terrible weather and up some of the steepest hills I’ve ever seen. And all with a dodgy knee. I’m already looking for my next challenge and wouldn’t rule out attempting the Babble Ride again, if my fitness allows.
"Alzheimer Scotland do such great work so hopefully this will spur someone else to do something to support such a worthy cause."
To support Alan, visit his JustGiving page here.