Bridge of Allan shopkeeper Rizwan Ashraf is swapping cricket spikes for cycling shoes as he takes on a six-day cycle across the Alps in memory of his father.
Rizwan, 43, has been a fixture in the town through his shop 'Allanwater Papers' for 18 years and is also captain of Clackmannanshire and County Cricket Club. He is stepping up for a sporting effort with a difference to raise money for Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.
The route and challenge
The cycle will see Rizwan and his cousin Bilal pedal from the Austrian city of Innsbruck to Lucerne in Switzerland, a punishing trek of more than 230 miles through stiff Alpine terrain. Rizwan only started cycling a few months ago in preparation for the bid. He sets off on Friday.
Rizwan said: “My cousin, who lives in Berlin, asked me what I thought about doing something for my dad’s memory and I admit I always thought of doing some sort of challenge. The route is pretty much entirely uphill and most people who cycle it tend to go from the Swiss side, but I wanted it to be as challenging as I could. I think after these six days, Bilal and I will be friends for life with the amount of time we’ll be spending together!”
Emotional tribute
The effort represents an emotional tribute from Rizwan to his dad Mohammed, who died from a stroke last year. The pair are aiming to complete the cycle on July 30.
On his fundraising page, Rizwan wrote: “Last year, our family lost my dad to a stroke. Although he suffered three strokes during his life, he never allowed them to define him. He was one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. No matter what he was facing, he always had a smile on his face and never complained about his condition. He simply got on with life with courage, determination, and quiet dignity. Growing up, and even as an adult, he was the person I turned to whenever life became difficult. His strength gave me strength. His optimism gave me hope. He taught me that no matter how hard life becomes, you keep moving forward. Now it’s my turn to do the same. As someone who isn’t a cyclist and only accepted this challenge six weeks ago, I know there will be moments when I’ll question whether I can keep going. When those moments come, I’ll think about my dad. I’ll remember the man who faced every obstacle with a smile. The man who never asked for sympathy. The man whose strength inspired everyone around him.”
Support and fundraising
The trek includes camping out in the evenings. Rizwan got help from a local cycling club on what he needs. He continued: “I’ve had a lot of support already and I had some of the members of Stirling Bike Club who come into the shop saying for me to head up to Menstrie Glen or Sheriffmuir for some training cycles to prepare for the slopes and I’ve been out to Aberfoyle. The bike club has also lent me a bike box for the flight over as I didn’t realise that was something you needed for that. The online fundraiser has gone really well; we’ve raised a little over £700 so far and there is also a charity raffle being done by the Westerton Arms which is set to raise even more, so the response from everyone, including the shop’s customers, has been fantastic.”
