Colin Calder, 64, from Auchterarder is set to take on Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de Four challenge on a tandem bike with his wife, Di.
This personal challenge will see Colin and Di cycle 40 miles on 7 September starting from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome to stand up to his Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis – which came just days after Sir Chris Hoy went public with his own cancer announcement last year.
Fresh from traversing France on yet another tandem cycle challenge, which saw the couple take on the first leg of the tour de France to ride over 115 miles for Prostate Cancer UK, they are now taking on Tour de Four to give back to Maggie’s. Colin and Di ride and blog under their Team name ‘eMatilda’.
Colin, a former journalist, said: “Team eMatilda is taking part in Sir Chris Hoy’s “Tour de 4” fundraising cycle event in Glasgow on Sunday 07 September – to raise funds for the truly inspirational Maggie’s centre in Dundee.
“The aim of Tour de 4 is to to highlight that however devastating a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis is – it does not define the limits of what is possible.
“To that end, along with my wife Di, Team eMatilda will be tandeming the blue route – a near 40-mile circular route from the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in the east end of Glasgow.
“Forty miles should be relatively straightforward after we took part in the 115-mile in one day Grand Depart Classic at the end of June, while raising significant funds for Prostate Cancer UK.
“That was obviously a very tough challenge – but not nearly as tough as the personal challenge I am facing daily having been diagnosed with life-limiting Stage 4 prostate cancer. But Maggie’s has been a massive help to me along my cancer journey – offering invaluable peer group support, and easy access to sources of financial help.
Colin added: “My unfathomable news came back at the end of October – just six days after 6-time Olympic gold medal cyclist Chris Hoy went public with his diagnosis. My consultant actually used the phrase that my condition was “almost identical to Chris Hoy” – including the timescales.
“That news was clearly devastating for us both – coming out of the blue with zero symptoms. Life has been a real rollercoaster as we try to find a way through this new “living with cancer.”
The good news is that the ground-breaking drugs are working for now, and holding off the growth of the cancer for Colin.
Colin added: “It has not been an easy path to navigate – but Maggie’s has been nothing short of wonderful in offering a reassuring helping hand every step of the way. Within weeks of my diagnosis – when I felt my life seemed to have ended – I was encouraged by the oncology staff to drop in to Maggie’s within the grounds of Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
“No appointment is required to visit Maggie’s and a warm, understanding, caring reaction is assured.
“I have since been attending the wonderful weekly Men’s Group every Monday morning. The testimony and the fellowship from the other men is amazing – it’s like being part of a “Band of Brothers”. It offers a no holds barred open discussion on all the similar issues that we all have with cancer – despite the group having many different forms and types of cancer.
“It has also been extremely useful to have chats there with two other men who also have prostate cancer – and it is reassuring that they are a year further on in their cancer journeys.
“The whole team at Maggie’s Dundee are nothing short of truly inspirational. Apart from the Men’s Group, the team has also helped me personally by providing easy access to Adult Disability Payments and a Blue Badge for our car.
“The Tour de 4 organisers ask participants to select one of five cancer charities – it was a no-brainer for me to select Maggie’s Dundee as it truly lives up to its mantra of being “everyone’s home of cancer care.”
Back to cycling – albeit at a somewhat different level! – I have found Chris Hoy’s book – “All that Matters” a great help due to the similarities between us. In fact, it could almost have been written about my prostate cancer journey so far. It has also been humbling and at the same time inspirational in the positivity the book engenders. And the fact that he is a year ahead of me in his cancer journey offers me hope.
“Sir Chris Hoy has firmly shone a spotlight on what a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis looks like. We are trying to follow in his footsteps to show that (while incredibly hard) it is possible to live well and lead a happy life alongside this devastating diagnosis.
“In conclusion I will paraphrase Chris Hoy: “Team eMatilda cycled the Grand Depart Classic 2025 to play a small role in helping raise awareness of living with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer.
“Now by also taking part in the The Tour de 4 we will be helping challenge perceptions of what is possible while living with Stage 4 cancer and inspire hope – both for ourselves and others.
“The vital funds we will hopefully raise will be a huge help to Maggie’s in Dundee to assist in funding their operation.
“I know there is no cure for me but, with science moving so fast. I hope I can play a role in protecting our children and the next generation.
“Finally – if you are over 50 – go and get tested guys! It’s a no brainer and could save your life. In the words of our new theme song – from our favourite male singer Paul Carrack – ‘Don’t wait too long’.”
To find out more about Maggie’s please visit maggies.org
