MUCKHART’S Iain Whyte admits that cycling helped turn his life around and believes that taking part in the upcoming Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 will be the cherry on the top.

The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 is a 100-mile ride on Sunday August 2 through the closed roads of the capital, the stunning Surrey countryside and finishing on The Mall.

Iain, who only started cycling just over a year ago in order to help him lose weight, missed out on a place in this year’s edition through the original ballot but was awarded a spot on Team Pru after organisers heard his story.

The Clackmannanshire 51-year-old weighed over 30 stone when he began exercising regularly and has now lost ten stone, as well as completing numerous charity runs and bike rides – leaving him excited for the challenge that RideLondon will provide.

Iain explained: “I did it for my children and also a friend of mine who had recently died, and I remember thinking that I was heading the same direction if I didn’t make any changes. I started training regularly by running and on the bike, and I found it was a huge way of clearing the mind. My mum died in September last year and then my dad passed away in the November, and I found that the running and cycling kept me together through that.

“I am ten stone down from where I was when I started last year, and hopefully I can get a bit more off still. I cannot wait to experience the atmosphere of Prudential RideLondon.

“I did the Belfast Marathon recently and I just love soaking it up. You really pick up the crowd – it helps you to have a great time despite the effort, and the noise and support is something I would not miss for anything.” Prudential RideLondon is an annual two-day festival of cycling which celebrates the legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games.

As part of Team Pru, Iain has already had the opportunity to meet some of sport’s biggest stars and the business coach claims the whole experience has been one he’ll never forget.

He added: “I have been so lucky so far with the people I’ve met. Just meeting some of these people can give you such inspiration. I met Sally Gunnell and Martin Johnson at the Shard launch – they are major heroes, huge names from my era to look up to.

“And Jo Rowsell, as a cyclist she is so inspirational – the power she generates is incredible.

“Stuff like that is a bit surreal, meeting Sir Chris Hoy and people like that is amazing and it is a real personal driver – looking at their achievements and what they have done makes you want to get out there and shows you that you can do something.” Prudential RideLondon takes place on 1-2 August 2015. Prudential is proud to support people’s ambitions. Visit www.pru.co.uk