Riders tackle tough trek

TWO brothers saddled up for an epic coast-to-coast journey in memory of their beloved dad.

Peter and Andrew Dowd — along with four friends — cycled 184 miles from Ayr, in Scotland, to the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed in just three days.

Not only was the challenge in honour of Bernard Dowd, a former Oldham police inspector who died aged 71 last October, they also raised nearly £4,000 for the Multiple-system Atrophy Trust.

Bernard (71), who was an Oldham policeman for 30 years, died from multiple-system atrophy — a degenerative neurological disorder — at a nursing home in Hyde.

Peter (43) said he and Andrew used to cycle to Hyde to visit their dad.

“When my dad died we continued cycling and along with a couple of friends from Springhead FC we formed an informal cycling club,” said Peter, from Grotton.

“One night in the pub we decided to do a coast-to-coast ride and we suggested we raised money for the MSA Trust and do it in memory of dad.

“It was hard going at times, doing up to 70 miles a day, but it was enjoyable and a very personal experience for myself and Andrew.”

If you wish to donate to their feat of endurance visit www.justgiving.com/peter-dowd.