Bike riders from the Vale of Clwyd will roll off this week on an epic 1,000-mile four-country charity cycle trek to raise cash for rugby star Doddie Weir’s motor neurone disease (MND) charity.

Denbigh doctors Tomos Watkin and Matt Davies will join veteran campaigner Rob Boyns from Ruthin on the ride to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie campaign which begins at Lymm Rugby Club in Cheshire on Sunday, February 2.

They are part of a 16-strong team of cyclists tackling Doddie’s Grand Tour that will be sponsored by Lock Stock Self Storage and other local firms Henllan Bakery, G and G Motors and Jones Brothers.

It’s a first time on the ride for Tomos but it’s a third time for Matt and ride veteran Rob, who runs Ruthin IT firm Boynsnet, is taking part in his fourth and is the Wales Team Captain for the ride.

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Tomos said: “We’ve all been in training, including some in bad weather and heavy rain to get us used to the conditions we could be facing.

“It’s going to be really tough in Scotland when we’re doing three days of 200-mile rides and who knows what the conditions will be like but it’s such a good cause.”

Rob added: “It’s good to have two doctors on the road with us and they know just how important it is to crack the cure for this terrible disease.

“We’re very grateful to Lock Stock and the others for supporting us and Henllan Bakery have even given us 16 boxes of cakes.

“It’s going to be tough though – there are over 10,000 metres of climbing in Scotland and three days when we’ll ride over 200 miles.

Lockstock helps to raise funds for MND; Pictured Dr Matt Davies , Lock Stock Area Manager Rob Jones , Dr Tomos Morgan and Rob Boyns who will be raising funds for MND with a charity bike ride. Picture Mandy Jones

“In Wales, we’ll be meeting children from local schools and telling them about the history of rugby and the importance of being a team player, how important it is to be a team player and the importance of the team ethos.

“We’re in a very privileged position to be able to take part in an event like this and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of people like Lock Stock which is brilliant.”

Lock Stock North East Wales Area Manager Rob Jones said “The incredible work that Rob, Tom and Matt are doing in undergoing a massive test across four countries is staggering.

“As soon as we heard about the mammoth task and their cause Lock Stock immediately wanted to be involved and to make a contribution, so to meet up with the lads and discuss the ride in detail and wish them well beforehand was a privilege. 

“We want to wish everyone involved across all stages of the journey the very best and hopefully they’ll raise a large amount for a brilliant cause”.

The Doddie ride celebrates the late Scotland and British Lions forward’s brave campaign against MND alongside fellow sports stars like Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrow.

The first stop is Ruthin Rugby Club before the riders head up the A5 to Bethesda Rugby Club and then Holyhead to cross to Dublin before crossing the sea to Stranraer in Scotland for the final arduous 750-mile four-day leg of the journey.

It will take them as far north as Aberdeen before they arrive in Edinburgh with the match ball the day before the Scotland v Ireland Six Nations rugby international at Murrayfield on Sunday, February 9.

The ride is being led by another doctor, former Scotland and Lions flanker Rob Wainwright while the team including the three Vale of Clwyd riders hopes to raise £60,000 for the charity – they have already had £30,000 committed.

Riding with them is Anglesey comedian Tudur Owen and three former rugby internationals, Wales’s Tony Copsey and Scotland duo Roger Baird and Iwan Tukalo while their 16-strong team is backed by 12 support staff.

To donate to Matt, Tomos, Rob and their team and for more information about their challenge click here.