Paralympian wishes Belles success on North Coast challenge

The Arran Belles cycle group are attempting their hardest challenge yet, the North Coast 500.

The group set off last Thursday August 5 to be- gan their multi-legged adventure which starts off at Inverness and heads around the north of Scotland via Wester Ross, Sutherland and Caithness before returning along the east coast along Easter Ross and back to Inverness.

The intrepid group set off on the 520-mile cycle with messages of support from adventurer Mark Beaumont and Rio bound paralympian Melissa Nicholls.

Melissa wished the girls well on their adventure and posted a message on their facebook page saying: ‘Push hard, laugh lots and dream big’, before signing off her message ‘Belle’ Mel.

The entire trip is being recorded in a series of daily posts which are being written by Belle Janice Small where pictures are also being posted, providinig updates on the team’s progress.

At the time of going to press the team had already completed more than 200 miles over four days and have reached Scourie, which is roughly half way between Ullapool and Durness

The Belles hope to reach Wick on day seven of their challenge which has seen them cycling more than 60 miles per day so far. However each leg of the journey varies as the group also face various challenges including village fetes, high mountain passes, impatient drivers and fierce weather.

Updates of the Belles progress and entertaining stories that happen along the way can be read on their blog which can be found at www.arranbellesnc500.blogspot.co.uk/

Photographs: Janice Small The Arran Belles and support team discuss the route before setting off on their adventure.

Belles Janice Small and Jillian Plenderleith find time for a quick photo in Durness.

Still smiling despite the sometimes gruelling ride.

The Belles show that it is not all serious cycling as they attempt to see how many belles can fit into a telephone booth.