DgStandard
by Andrew Burns, Dumfries Standard Friday
A CYCLIST from Dumfries will be swapping the tracks of Mabie Forest for the hills of Morocco this year.
Rachael McDougal has signed up for the four-day Bike Morocco expedition in July to raise money for charity.
The 32-year-old cycling enthusiast will jet out to the capital Marrakech on July 5 and is hoping to raise some vital funds for Action Medical Research.
She said: “I have always been a keen cyclist and you can normally find me darting around Mabie Forest at the weekends.
“I wanted to do something exciting where I could raise a decent sum of money for an important cause.”
The Moroccan challenge will start in Marrakech before powering through the dirt roads of the Atlas Mountains.
Rachael will also pass through the Jebel Siroua mountain range, taking in a mixture of rocky roads and sandy trails.
The sheltered development co-ordinator will cross desert plateau, descend through gorges and explore remote valleys, all under the shadow of imposing Mount Toubkal.
She will now be hard at work raising funds, with special events in and around Dumfries in the coming months.
The event’s chosen charity is Action Medical Research, a cause that means a lot to Rachael.
She said: “You pledge to raise £1,800 but it would be great to go above and beyond that target and raise even more.”
Rachael has never travelled to the north African country before, but does have some experience in massive charity efforts.
She said: “I completed the Cairngorm Challenge before for Barnardos, which was around 100km over the day! But this will be even tougher.”
Rachael is hosting a “Scottish Music Feast” with local musicians performing on the afternoon of February 24 at St George’s Church Hill, in Dumfries.
l Anyone wanting further information should email rmcdougal
