I am currently preparing for the Inverness Etape in 2019, a cycle sportive taking place around Loch Ness on 28 April, offering the chance to cycle 66 miles on traffic-free roads. The 360° closed-road route around the loch starts and finishes in Inverness, offering 900m of ascent. There is a timed King of the Mountain stage, with a 4.8-mile climb gaining 380m in height with a gradient reaching 12% at times.
Macmillan Cancer Support is something very close to my heart. I lost my mum, aka AJ as I used to call her, in 2010 – and for many years my mum was very supportive of the Macmillan Centre at Stracathro Hospital.
Sadly, my dad has been diagnosed with Oesophagus Cancer and is currently undergoing treatment in a bid to extend his life and to make him as comfortable as possible.
Unfortunately, he isn't strong enough for surgery and the option agreed with was a treatment of Radiotherapy. Right from day one of the diagnosis, I have read the Macmillan booklets and visited the Macmillan website for advice and support. Now it is my time to give something back to a great charity.
You can help raise money by donating at: bit.ly/2Bs1LPl
Robert Black, Managing Director,
Black's of Brechin