Rivi biker chicks get tough against prostate cancer

Susan Rigby, 53, is set to take part in the infamous “Plop Endurance” race in Anglesey alongside three fellow motorbike-mad friends.

The Hindley mum, who has survived bowel cancer, will join hundreds of other bikers for the event to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and The NABD charity (the national association for bikers with disabilities).

The gruelling challenge will see the Rivi Kickstart Chicks - Susan, Deb Ward from Southport, 50, Gaynor Parker from Manchester, 50 and Joanne Brown from Liverpool, 41 - each ride two solid hours on a Honda C90 in the hope of completing the most laps when the time is up.

Susan, who is a professional motorsports photographer, said: “After surviving bowel cancer, exercise doesn’t come easy and I am in a constant daily battle to try and keep fit. I desperately wanted to join my son on one of his charity swimathons a couple of years ago but I sadly lacked the fitness needed and also have been left extremely self conscious and couldn’t think of anything more horrifying than having to wear a wet suit in public.

“So what better way to raise funds than doing it through something I love and cherish and am comfortable doing, biking and with three equally mad hatter friends as Gaynor, Joanne and Deb.

“Cancer touches most families, my family went through a tough time with me as it was touch and go and as far as bowel cancer goes, it leaves you with no inhibitions whatsoever.

“I am so so grateful for my gift of life but to find out that prostate cancer is the third biggest killer is sobering to say the least.”

The women, who are all members of the Rivi Barn Biking Group, have all been touched by prostate cancer through having so many male friends in the organisation.

“We have come across people who have succumb to it,” she said.

“We have also come across people who have survived. It’s a charity that is very close to the community we are in.

“Gaynor’s father passed away from prostate cancer which was found too late.

“We have chosen NABD because they help people who have had accidents through biking. They help to support and advise people and they help to convert people’s bikes so that they can still ride. I have quite a few friends who have lost limbs.

“These are two very worthy charities.”

The women will also be joined by Aspull mechanic, Carl Tiffany who is acting as volunteer manager and pitstop mechanic.

Rivi Kickstart Chicks will travel to Anglesey next week ahead of the September race to get a feel for the track.

So far the women have been sponsored by Paul and Lynn King of Countywide Computer Services in Darwin in memory of Lynn who died in a motorcycle accident in 2017.

They have also received £500 from an anonymous donor.

Donations can be made through PayPal to [email protected] via friends and family.