{"id":73558,"date":"2023-02-10T13:58:43","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T13:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=73558"},"modified":"2023-03-20T18:35:33","modified_gmt":"2023-03-20T18:35:33","slug":"doddie-weir-cup-cycling-555-miles-in-55-hours-is-a-challenge-of-a-lifetime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2023\/02\/10\/doddie-weir-cup-cycling-555-miles-in-55-hours-is-a-challenge-of-a-lifetime\/","title":{"rendered":"Doddie Weir Cup: Cycling 555 miles in 55 hours is &#8216;a challenge of a lifetime&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sporting legends lead 200 riders to deliver the Six Nations match ball and support the fight against Motor Neurone Disease<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>MORE than 200 riders, including some sporting legends, are cycling 555 miles between Cardiff and Edinburgh in 50 hours to support the charity founded by Scottish No 5 Doddie Weir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They on are on track to arrive in in time to deliver the match ball for the Doddie Weir Cup, awarded to the winner of the Scotland v Wales Six Nations match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cyclists set off from the Principality Stadium  on Thursday, February 9 to raise money for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myname5doddie.co.uk\">My Name\u20195 Doddie<\/a> Foundation, set up by the former Scotland and Lions player when he developed Motor Neurone Disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the fourth charity cycle to the Doddie Weir Cup but the first since Doddie died in November 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"Doddie Weir Cycle: Riding 555 miles from Cardiff to Edinburgh in 55 hours\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/A4wp5Qwf7eg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"Doddie Weir Cycle: Riding 555 miles from Cardiff to Edinburgh in 55 hours\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/A4wp5Qwf7eg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Footage of cyclists leaving Cardiff. Credit: Bethan Wild<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sporting legends and friends of Doddie, such as former rugby captain of Scotland, Rob Wainwright, and British long-distance cyclist, Mark Beaumont, are among the cyclists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI know he would be incredibly proud to see this community carrying on,\u201d said Beaumont.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"826\" height=\"933\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1.jpg 826w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1-266x300.jpg 266w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1-770x870.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1-293x331.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"826\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1.jpg 826w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1-266x300.jpg 266w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1-770x870.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/Andy-Morgan-and-team-1-293x331.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 826px) 100vw, 826px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Andy Morgan and team on the cycle route to Edinburgh<\/strong>. Image: H.Merrett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p>Triathlete Andy Morgan, 57, who is leading a team to Edinburgh, said: \u201cThere are plenty of worthy causes out there, everybody has been touched by cancer but with some cancers there is a chance. With Motor Neurone Disease there is absolutely no chance, your body is going to deteriorate, your mind is going to deteriorate and eventually you will pack in and you will die.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd you die as Doddie Weir did in a painful and horrible passing. He was a brilliant rugby player. Rob Burrow, who people know from his Rugby League days, was an amazing athlete. He is now strapped in a wheelchair. It\u2019s just awful to see.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo, if there is anything we can do to raise awareness, to find a cure or to raise funds to find medication that can control MND it just has to be something we have to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Doddie Weir was one of the most well-known Scottish rugby players of his time. He earned 61 caps for Scotland and toured with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa in 1997.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2016 Doddie was diagnosed with MND and that same year he launched the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myname5doddie.co.uk\">My Name\u20195 Doddie<\/a> charity with a vision of freeing the world of the illness.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"730\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-1024x730.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-1024x730.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-770x549.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-1536x1095.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-2048x1460.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-500x357.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-293x209.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-1400x998.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"730\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-1024x730.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-1024x730.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-770x549.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-1536x1095.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-2048x1460.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-500x357.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-293x209.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/number-5s-1400x998.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Yellow and blue tartan outfits with the number five on the backs worn for Doddie.<\/strong> Image: Bethan Wild<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Beaumont, who holds the record for cycling 18,000 miles around the world in less than 79 days, said this challenge to honour Doddie Weir was the \u201cbiggest ride they have ever taken on in their lives\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>At the moment it feels like the country is just shrugging its shoulders and saying here is a wheelchair and see you the next life.\u201d<\/p><cite>Andy Morgan<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"839\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-1024x839.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-1024x839.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-770x631.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-1536x1258.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-2048x1678.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-293x240.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-1400x1147.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"839\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-1024x839.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-1024x839.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-770x631.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-1536x1258.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-2048x1678.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-293x240.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/welsh-flag-1400x1147.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Cyclists ready to take off on the 555 mile ride to Edinburgh.<\/strong> Image: Bethan Wild<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Triathlete Morgan said: \u201cThe adrenaline will get us through. We know the cause, we know what this is all about and we know what the end goal is, so I think we will cope.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYes, we will be tired, yes at the end we will be suffering I am sure, but because of the cause I think we will quickly not feel that pain and just get on and do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUntil I started getting involved in this, I had no idea just how many people are affected by MND, this is not just about raising funds, but it is also about raising awareness, it could hit any of us at any time and it is blinking awful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAt the moment it feels like the country is just shrugging its shoulders and saying here is a wheelchair and see you the next life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=13gzYpikPM83KzQOMJae9u8wUabdq93Q&amp;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><noscript><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=13gzYpikPM83KzQOMJae9u8wUabdq93Q&amp;ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Dressed in blue and yellow tartan with Weir&#8217;s No 5 on their backs, the cyclists set off from Cardiff\u2019s Principality Stadium at 8am on February 9.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cyclists had 55 hours to get to the BT Murrayfield Stadium by 4.45pm on February 11, allowing for compulsory four-hour breaks each night.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Led by Wainwright, a core group of 20 riders will pedal every mile of the way.  Rob has the match ball on the back of his bike for the entire journey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other 200 cyclists are split into teams of six to eight, with at least two driving at all times. Most groups will be taking part in a relayed 555-mile ride, in which two riders from each team cycle for around two hours at a time before swapping over.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The cyclists are not taking a direct route so they can clock up the magic 555 miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After their first pit stop at Tondu RFC in Bridgend, Wainwright said: &#8220;Every 300 yards there has been a van parked cheering us on &#8212; the spirit is fantastic.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--1400x788.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu-.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-73570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu--1400x788.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/first-break-at-Tondu-.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>Rest point at Tondu RFC during Doddie Weir cycle. <\/strong>Image: H Merrett<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Their second resting point is in Darlington, England before the last leg to Murrayfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the weather allows, most teams plan to ride the last few miles together in a ceremonial finish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe first thing we will do when we finish is probably acknowledge what we have just done and then hopefully get together as a team and have a pint,\u201d said Morgan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All teams had to raise a minimum of \u00a32,000 to participate and all ticket profits from the Scotland v Wales match will be donated to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myname5doddie.co.uk\">My Name\u20195 Doddie<\/a> foundation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Motor Neurone Disease?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>MND is a life shortening illness that attacks the body&#8217;s nervous system, interrupting messages between the brain and the body\u2019s muscles. In most cases it spreads rapidly, leading to weak muscles and eventually paralysis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mndassociation.org\">MND Association<\/a>: \u201cMND can leave people locked in a failing body, unable to move, talk, swallow and eventually breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>About 1,100 people are diagnosed with MND every year in the UK. One in three people succumb within a year and half within two years of diagnosis. There is currently no cure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Doddie\u2019s foundation funds research in the hopes that one day one will be found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you would like to donate to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myname5doddie.co.uk\">My Name\u20195 Doddie<\/a> foundation, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.justgiving.com\/fundraising\/tondudoddies?utm_source=whatsapp\">click here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sporting legends lead 200 riders to deliver the Six Nations match ball and support the fight against MND<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":913,"featured_media":73578,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,4],"tags":[1355,1291,10,227,3722,8337,8336,1438,900,8339,8338,154,985,328,763,74,2208,339,1168],"coauthors":[8086],"class_list":["post-73558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-news","category-sport","tag-bike","tag-cardiff-2","tag-charity","tag-community","tag-cycle","tag-doddie-weir","tag-doddle-weir","tag-donate","tag-edinburgh","tag-mnd","tag-motor-neurone-disease","tag-rugby-2","tag-scotland","tag-six-nations","tag-six-nations-rugby","tag-sport-2","tag-triathlon","tag-wales","tag-wales-v-scotland"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Doddie Weir Cup: Cycling 555 miles in 55 hours is &#039;a challenge of a lifetime&#039; - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Over 200 riders have set off on the immense challenge of cycling 555 miles in 55 hours to raise money for Motor Neuron Disease in honour of Doddie Weir.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2023\/02\/10\/doddie-weir-cup-cycling-555-miles-in-55-hours-is-a-challenge-of-a-lifetime\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Doddie Weir Cup: Cycling 555 miles in 55 hours is &#039;a challenge of a lifetime&#039; - The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Over 200 riders have set off on the immense challenge of cycling 555 miles in 55 hours to raise money for Motor Neuron Disease in honour of Doddie Weir.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2023\/02\/10\/doddie-weir-cup-cycling-555-miles-in-55-hours-is-a-challenge-of-a-lifetime\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-02-10T13:58:43+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-20T18:35:33+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/02\/trio-doddie-2-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1485\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Bethan Wild\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" 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