BY JACKIE MACKENZIE
A Skye woman is on top of the world after successfully completing an epic 1,000-mile Land’s End to John o’ Groats cycle challenge – and raising an amazing £16,000 for a cancer charity.
Marsaili MacLeod, who lives in Kyleakin, spun off from the Cornish headland on 11th May and reached the tip of Caithness 15 days later, bang on her target time.
Along the route Marsaili encountered stunning landscapes, frustrations with road closures, only one minor “road rage” incident and a warm accordion welcome at John o’ Groats.
Marsaili undertook the length of Britain solo trip in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support which helped her through her own breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in 2021.
“I set myself a target of 15 days and I did it, 14 days of cycling and a day of rest for planning ahead,” said Marsaili, the director of education at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in Sleat.
“It was more challenging than I expected, not so much the physical aspect but the mental loads were quite demanding. I was going mainly on the back roads, but in Cornwall and Devon in particular so many were closed because the roads authorities could not maintain them. Traffic was a challenge, and the potholes, but thankfully there were no mechanical issues with the bike and only one road rage incident throughout the whole of the country, a bit of impatient beeping from a driver wanting past.”
Marsaili crossed the border on 20th May and once in Scotland was joined on sections of the cycle by friends. Her partner James cycled the last eight miles with her and sister Catriona MacLeod played them in to the sounds of ‘Crossing The Minch’ on the accordion at John o’ Groats, after which they enjoyed a family celebration with her parents.
“I’m bowled over by the fundraising support I’ve had from friends, family and colleagues. It’s just been incredible,” said Marsaili who hopes to do future fundraising for Macmillan.
“But nothing quite so physical, maybe a Burns Supper.”
Marsaili’s donations page is still open for anybody who wants to contribute: https://www.justgiving.com/page/marsaili-lejog
