Two Yorkshire cyclists will take on a 750-mile, four-day charity ride from Melrose to Dublin this March, raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research.
Martin Mansell, CEO of EnjoyTravel.com, and fellow rider Hamish Graham will join ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’ ambassadors Mark Beaumont and Rob Wainwright, alongside other charity riders including Gordon D’Arcy, OJ Borg and Iwan Tukalo. The ride runs from Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th March 2026.
The route begins in Scotland and crosses Yorkshire on day one, finishing at Headingley Stadium, where local rugby legend Eorl Crabtree will greet the cyclists. Riders will then continue west through Kirklees, passing Mansell’s home village of Skelmanthorpe and the iconic Emley Moor mast. They will stop for refreshments at local restaurant KIN before tackling Holme Moss and cycling through the Peak District on their way to Dublin.
Martin Mansell said: “I’m incredibly proud to be taking part in the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Melrose to Dublin ride in support of MND research. It means a great deal that the route passes through the full length of Yorkshire, including near my home village of Skelmanthorpe as well as stopping in Leeds, where we’ll be backed by friends, family and the wider community as we ride for such an important cause.
“This challenge is a key part of our preparation for the Yorkshire Beast challenge in July, and while four days and 750 miles will be tough, knowing the ride is helping to fund vital MND research gives us real motivation throughout the tough moments. I’m excited to continue our fundraising this summer as we push ourselves further than ever before.”
The Melrose-to-Dublin ride is a precursor to the Yorkshire Beast challenge in July, when the team will cycle 6,000km from Nordkapp, Norway, to Tarifa, Spain. Last year’s Yorkshire Beast event, a 1,100-mile ride from Leeds to Nice, raised £55,000. This year, the goal is £100,000 for charity.
Funds will be split between the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, supporting MND research and affected families, and the Yorkshire Children’s Charity, which provides essential resources for children living with disability or hardship across the region.
