WITH his flowing locks and ZZ Top-style beard, Jim Todd couldn’t look less like a civic head when he dons his leathers and mounts his prized Triumph Bonneville motorbike.
But the East Ayrshire provost will be doing that for a good cause next month when he roars through the region’s towns and villages with 200 fellow blue-bearded bikers on his second Ride for Dad in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.
Todd first led a 100-strong cavalcade from Kilmarnock to Cumnock in 2013 in a bid to break down taboos and encourage men to come forward for checks for the disease.
This time, with a newly extended route, around 200 riders and pillion passengers will set off from East Ayrshire Council headquarters in Kilmarnock at 11am on Sunday, August 5, and ride through Fenwick, Waterside, Moscow and Galston and then on to Sorn and Cumnock before returning through Mauchline and Crookedholm to Kilmarnock’s Dean Castle Country Park.
“Prostate Cancer UK does an amazing job funding research and offering huge practical and emotional support to men with prostate disease and their families,” Todd said.
“But while prostate disease is easily treated if diagnosed early, it still kills many men every year because they’re too embarrassed to seek help or go for simple checks.
“We decided that if a bunch of blue-bearded bikers weren’t scared to make a noise, discuss the issues and go for checks, it would set a good example and encourage them to find out about the symptoms and treatment.”
Todd says it’s a fun day with a serious message comparable to the Riding of the Marches in the Borders.
And he says bikes – and riders – of all shapes and sizes are welcome. “It’s not just about a certain type of motorcycle,” he said. “We’ll have mods on Vespas, traditionalists on Harleys and a fair selection of touring and racing bikes – a diverse bunch – with one thing in common – even the ladies will be wearing blue beards!”
Live music and discounted food will be on the menu at the Dean Castle Country Park finale, and each entrant will receive a commemorative T-shirt, pin badges and raffle vouchers for a Tanglewood acoustic guitar.
Todd added: “At the end of the day it’s a great way for us to meet up, raise some awareness and have fun doing it.
“If it helps persuade one man to get checked in time to save a life, it will be totally worth it.”
Further details of this year’s Ride for Dad can be found on the East Ayrshire Council website at www.eac.eu/ridefordad
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