Beith GP Sheila McCarroll and her friend Isobel Stewart, from Dalry, are set to cycle from London to Paris over four days in aid of the Royal British Legion.

They will be joined by cyclists from across the UK in the Pedal to Paris challenge in September.

GP Sheila has carried out cycle challenges before but Isobel was a non cyclist until very recently.

Sheila said: “This is a four day challenge averaging 114 km per day- that’s about 70 miles.

“It is no mean feat for someone who’s rarely been on a bike.

“Isobel was inspired listening to someone else’s tales of riding up a closed Champs Elysees on a Sunday morning.

“So one winter’s night probably after a small gin or two she decided to go for it and having done similar trips before, I agreed to go with her and help her train.

“Not long to go now and we’ve been training hard though the weather has been awful.

“Isobel has progressed to Lycra and clipped in pedals! The latter are still a bit of a challenge but there haven’t been too many scabby knees.

“The Royal British Legion is a great charity and everyone is aware of the good work they do so we’d be extremely grateful if you would consider sponsoring us.”

The intrepid pair have a justgiving site at www.justgiving.com/Smccarroll or www.justgiving.com/sobes-pedaltoparis.

Sponsorship money can also be handed over in an envelope to the health centre in Beith.

Best of luck ladies from all at the Herald.