Cyclist takes on Etape Caledonia to celebrate end of cancer treatment

Steve Biggin, 51, from Sheffield is celebrating the end of his yearlong chemotherapy treatment by participating in an 85-mile cycle ride on 14 May at the UK’s original closed road cycling event, Etape Caledonia, in Highland Perthshire.

Doctors discovered a grade two brain tumour in November 2021 after Steve had been experiencing months of seizures and an excruciating Thunderclap headache. He went on to have a successful operation removing the brain tumour in January 2022, followed by six weeks of intensive radiotherapy, plus a further year of chemotherapy, which ended this month.

Steve, who is a sales assistant at Morrisons supermarket in Sheffield, first participated in Etape Caledonia in 2022, 16 weeks after his brain surgery. An avid cyclist who took the sport up as a serious hobby in his forties, he is back again this year taking on the 85-mile route to celebrate the end of his gruelling cancer treatment.

Steve commented: “I feel humbled that everything with my treatment has gone so well. I have still been able to work full time and continue my passion of cycling.

“Participating in Etape Caledonia is my treat to myself, marking the end of my cancer treatment and is a celebration of being alive, in a beautiful part of the world! It’s an opportunity for me to do what I love doing with my friends, surrounded by good people.

“Highland Perthshire offers the most beautiful scenery and I just love the views and the fantastic atmosphere Etape Caledonia offers. With all the roads shut for the event, I feel able to enjoy my surroundings without the pressure of having cars around. I’m very grateful to have been given another opportunity to participate.”

Craig Dews, CEO at Limelight Sports Club, organisers of Etape Caledonia, said: “We’re absolutely delighted for Steve, and look forward to welcoming him back along with the many other participants for this must-do event for cyclists, which provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Highland Perthshire in the Spring.”

Etape Caledonia is an epic closed-road sportive through the Scottish Highlands, offering 40-, 55- and 85-mile route options, taking on winding roads, tree-lined avenues, lochs, mountains, and everything in between. The new 55-route option also forms part of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Gran Fondo which has been announced for August, so it’s the perfect training ground for club cyclists.

Steve is fundraising via JustGiving for The Brian Tumour Charity. To donate please visit: Stephen Biggin is fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity (justgiving.com)

Registrations for Etape Caledonia are now open at www.etapecaledonia.co.uk and close on 2 May.