Wedding bells will replace the starter’s whistle at this year’s Etape Caledonia event in Highland Perthshire as an adventurous couple get on their bikes to say “I do”.
Shunning the traditional white wedding are Rick Millin and Jo Louden, who have instead chosen a rather more novel way of tying the knot.
They will marry at the start line in Pitlochry witnessed by 5000 participants making Will and Kate’s 1900-strong guest list look like an intimate do.
There will not be time for the bride to be fashionably late, though, as the ceremony will take place at 6am just before the 81-mile bike ride kicks off.
Although the couple, from Guildford, Surrey, did consider a wedding in the Bahamas, they decided to bring romance to the event as Rick popped the question on their way to the Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia last year.
Jo said, “We both wanted a fairly low-key wedding and we’re ultra competitive when it comes to cycling so, taking into account we got engaged on the way up to the event last year, we thought why not?
“The only thing now is that I have had just under four weeks to organise the whole thing.”
As well as using it as a way to express their love for each other, the pair also chose the event for their nuptials as the work carried out by Macmillan Cancer Support is close to their hearts.
“Both my parents were affected by cancer and we feel it is important to support the charity that did so much for them on our special day,” said Rick.
The super-fit couple hope to make their day a double celebration by beating their previous records and being among the first to finish.
This should be a walk in the park for Rick, as he has developed thighs of steel from leading spin classes in his spare time. His best time is three hours and 46 minutes just 10 minutes off the top time set by Veli-Matti Raikonnen from Aberdeen, who has enjoyed success three years’ running.
The blushing bride will not be far behind her new husband though, as Jo was the first female to finish at IMG Challenger World’s sister event Etape Hibernia last year.
Challenge events manager for Macmillan Cancer Support Craig Fordham said, “We are delighted that Rick and Jo have decided to get married at the start of Etape Caledonia, before they cycle 81 miles to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“We are very grateful and everyone at Macmillan wishes them a very happy race and marriage.”
Etape Caledonia has grown in popularity every year since its inception, from just over 1000 participants in 2007 to over 5000 this year.
Joining the newlyweds will be Olympic athletes, TV presenters and some of the country’s top amateur cyclists.More information about the event can be found at www.etapecaledonia.co.uk. To donate to Rick and Jo’s fund-raising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/millin.