ROB Boyns admits he was almost ready to give his legs a rest this year for a major charity cycling challenge.

However, former Scottish international rugby captain Rob Wainwright convinced the Ruthin Rugby Club stalwart to get pedalling again in support of Doddie Aid.

This is a high-profile charity set up in memory of Scottish international and legend Doddie Weir, who tragically passed away from motor neurone disease (MND) in November.

Rob, from Boyns Information Systems Ltd in Ruthin, will form part of Team Gog5 in the Doddie Cup, which will be cycling from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, to Murrayfield in Edinburgh, transporting the match ball for this Saturday's Doddie Weir Cup match between Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship.

Team Gog5, primarily from Ruthin and Caernarfon rugby clubs, will join rugby internationals, British and Irish Lions, and World Cup winners on the major cycle journey north, starting in Cardiff on February 9.

They intend to cover 555 miles in 55 hours, arriving on February 11.

READ MORE: 500-mile cycle challenge for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation

Last year, the journey was done in the opposite direction in order to deliver the match ball to Cardiff.

“We went on a family trip to The Isle of Coll part of the Scottish Hebridies where Rob Wainwright lives and farms," said Rob.

"He asked me if I would like to help him set up Team Wales.

"Initially the request scared me but I spoke to Team Gog5 including Steve Morgan from the P&A Group, Dr Matt Davies and solicitor Wyn Jones who are great friends and long term distance athletes and we decided that the honour and cause was so great that we had to embrace it.

"Team Gog5 were all behind us and we agreed to go forward and create Team Wales. We now have over 2,500 Welsh members and have raised nearly £51,000 for the cause via the app from a standing start.”

Having captained Team Gog5 last year, Rob was invited to join Rob Wainwright's inner circle and ride as part of his core team this week.

“This is a massive honour which reflects the hard work of Team Gog5 and I feel like I am representing the region and Wales!" he added.

"I have had a hand in the planning of the event, recruited many clubs and we are visiting Clwb Rygbi Cydweli – which is the town I was brought up in.

"We visit many schools on the journey which is extremely rewarding.

"In addition, we visit Wrexham Football Club, which is a first – as we have always visited rugby clubs in the past.

"I am hoping that school children from the region visit us in Wrexham AFC and get the opportunity to meet the stars - engagement is key to the success of the journey.”

 

Former Wales captain Colin Charvis at Ruthin Rugby Club during last year's ride.

Last year, the intrepid group of cyclists stopped off at Ruthin Rugby Club and many schools along the way, receiving a great deal of support from children and residents.

Among those taking part is a group of four riders from Ruthin Rugby Club, who join English legends Martin Johnson and Mike Teague, Scotland’s Rob Wainwright and former Wales captain Colin Charvis, as well as cycling stars Sir Chris Hoy and Mark Beaumont.

The Gog5 team, captained this year by Dr Matt Davies, will be joined by ex-Wales and Lions star John Devereux, TV and radio presenter Tudur Owen and Owain Tudur Jones, the former Wales football international.

They will help to raise money and awareness which will go towards helping to fund research into MND.

Added to this, there is also a major target from the Gog5 Team cyclists, who will be aiming to raise £50,000 over the two years they have been taking part.

"We have had major support in the past and we are very hopeful of reaching our goals of fund raising and awareness of this cruel disease," added Rob.

For further information, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/doddiegog5