SCOOBY AND ROBIN’S BIKE ADVENTURE
A CYCLIST has revealed how he raced the Velothon with his dog on his back – and ended up with the professional riders because of his dyslexia.
Cardiff taxi driver Robin Hollis entered Sunday’s 86-mile race around south Wales with his three-year-old dog, Scooby, for company and to raise money for charity.
But due to a mix-up with signs and instructions because of his dyslexia, Robin ended up racing alongside the elite professionals in the event.
Robin, 54, from Riverside, said: “What happened was, I was doing the route and then the guy tells me I would be disbanded [sic] because of all the pro riders.
“I was pretty confused. I’ve got dyslexia, you see, so I’m not good with signs and instructions and things like that.
“I was kept being told that I’d have to stop but I was doing it for charity.”
Robin did eventually complete the gruelling course in eight hours and 10 minutes, slightly over his target time of eight hours, and the pedalling pair were awarded a medal each.
At one point, when it all got a bit too much for Robin along a tough part of the course, Scooby stepped in to spur him on – by enthusiastically running on ahead of his master.
Robin recalled yesterday: “When I made it up to Caerphilly and onto the mountain I started to get cramp.
“I decided to get off my bike because of it about halfway up. But Scooby decided to jump off and helped me pull us up to the top.”
Although Scooby provides companionship along Robin’s long routes, Robin said he brings him along to try to raise more money.
“It’s more of a challenge with the dog,” he added. “I think that when you raise money for charity it should be a bit of a challenge, really.
“And hopefully it would raise a bit more money.”
He said: “That’s why I used the mountain bike as well. With Scooby and the bag and the water and all that, it was probably about two stone on my back.”
Robin ended up raising more than £450 for Breast Cancer Care.
“Cancer is bad, no matter which one you get,” he said. “But one of the worst parts is when women with breast cancer have it removed and their whole lifestyle changes.
“I know a young lady who has gone through that and she won’t go out.”
The pair proved a popular sight along the velothon route, with Robin saying riders would try to get selfies with them along the route.
Scooby’s popularity has also seen him snapped up as a mascot for Breast Cancer Care.
The pair have taken part in several other cycling challenges, with a route from Holyhead to Cardiff planned for next year.
Donations for Robin can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robin-hollis2