Disabled Outfit Moray charity worker Karen Cox on top of the world after reaching Ben Rinnes summit by electric mountain bike
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A DISABLED outdoor charity worker finally got to see her home town of Lossiemouth from Moray's highest peak on Sunday when she conquered Ben Rinnes by electric bike.
Karen Cox (54), a part-time administrator and fundraiser for Outfit Moray who writes a blog as "The Wobbly Cyclist", has only got on a bike in the last year and a half.
The mobility scooter user has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia and arthritis and struggles with chronic fatigue, joint pain and muscle weakness. She uses a wheelchair when symptoms are at their worst.
Assisted by a team from Outfit Moray and family members, Karen was on top of the world after scaling 2759ft Ben Rinnes on her electric mountain bike – marking the realisation of a 26-year dream.
Her effort will boost the coffers of Outfit Moray for its outdoor learning and adventure activities, and Flying Scholarships for Disabled People for its scholarship programme.
Karen, who was named one of Cycling UK's 100 Women in Cycling for 2021 last month, said both charities had made a huge difference to her life.
She said: "The whole day was amazing, thanks to the selfless support of my incredible team. There’s absolutely no way I could have reached the top without them.
"Living in Lossiemouth, I see Ben Rinnes nearly every time I leave my house and I have always wanted to get to the top.
"But having Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, fibromyalgia and arthritis means I am in a lot of daily pain, plus I struggle with chronic fatigue and joint issues, so it wasn’t somewhere I ever thought I would get to, especially as my outings are generally limited to the distance and speed of my scooter and only on flat terrain."
Karen's helpers included Donna Brown, Elizabeth Kenyon, Anna Vince and Iain Bamber, who are all involved in Outfit Moray's Bikeability programme, Outfit Moray volunteer Adrian Marsay, her husband Rob, son Chris Jennings, son-in-law Ryan McNeill, and Iain's dog, Oscar.
She added: "I came to a grinding halt on the first steep section and I couldn't keep my bike moving forward, even with it on full power, and I just wanted to turn round and give up."
The team worked out a system of short spurts, pulling and pushing Karen onwards to the summit, helping to steer the bike and keep her body upright. Karen said: "My lack of core strength meant it was starting to resemble a bendy bus by that point.
"Even Oscar the black Lab was roped in to pull me up a particularly steep section where I couldn’t be pushed. My husband supported me on my final walk to the summit.
"Their technical knowledge, physical support and constant encouragement and enthusiasm got me past so many 'nope' moments."
The mist cleared as Karen reached the top. She said: "I got to see Lossiemouth from the top of Ben Rinnes – which was a dream come true and the main reason for wanting to get there."
The descent presented Karen with "a whole other set of challenges" as the hard braking required put strain on her upper body.
The entire challenge took four and a half hours.
Intrepid Karen can add her bike climb to past achievements including a firewalk, flying a plane and abseiling from the Forth Rail Bridge.
Karen has so far raised just over £400 for each charity, but aims to reach higher still. To back Karen's effort with a donation visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/thewobblycyclist.
