When the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, powered to three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics he claimed he had been fuelled by Chicken McNuggets.
However, for Perth and Kinross councillor Bob Ellis, the food of champions may turn out to be the humble Saturday night favourite of curry and chips.
Bob admits he has been enjoying the treat at the end of a hard day’s training for his charity cycle from Land’s End to John o’ Groats.
It is now little more than a fortnight until the Blairgowrie representative and his son Arran set off on their epic journey.
The duo will set out from Land’s End on Friday May 9, accompanied by Bob’s wife, Lyn and their cycle technician Gerry Hunter.
They hope to raise £6,500 for their chosen charity, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), based at Perth Airport.
“I must admit that, now it is getting closer, I am getting more and more excited,” Bob said.
“The training has been going well and the sponsor money has been coming in, with a lot more to follow.
“On Saturday I went out and did a hard 55 miles with climbs and 30 miles the following day. On Monday I went from Blairgowrie to Bridge of Cally and over Moulin Moor to Pitlochry that’s 55 miles, with more climbing than Ben Nevis.
“I have not done anything to my diet, though I enjoyed a large curry and plate of chips after training.”
Although there is no one route to take between start and finish, any cyclist undertaking the end-to-end challenge will travel more than 840 miles before finally leaving the saddle.
Bob is no stranger to testing himself both physically and mentally, as he can claim to be one the country’s most experienced yompers.
One of the founders of the Cateran Trail in 2000, the 64-year-old is one of the few people to take on and conquer all three of the annual Cateran Yomp’s three routes the longest of which takes participants on a 54-mile trek through the rugged Perthshire countryside.
He is also an advocate of all things outdoors, supporting the creation of walking and cycling routes across the region and backing major events such as the Perth Adventure Festival.
Bob has set his team a punishing target, saying: “Arran and I hope to cycle 120 miles a day in order to reach our target of 6.5 days.”
They have had plenty of support from local firms, with fundraising space, advice, spare parts and equipment all provided.
A tow bar will ensure the support team will be able to carry two spare cycles to keep Bob and Arran on the go.
“This will enable us to play a bit like the Tour De France, where I can stick my hand in the air and Gerry drives up to me or Arran and we get a replacement bike for a while,” Bob said.
Anyone who would like to support Bob and Arran and their chosen charity can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/bobnarranslejog.
The pair have already raised significant sums for the cause through a variety of events, including a raffle.