[June 17, 2011] After 1000 miles, it's a dream ending for cycle duo [Evening Times (Glasgow, Scotland)] Tweet (Evening Times (Glasgow, Scotland) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) A DEAF man who is also almost completely blind and his deaf wife were greeted like heroes when they reached George Square after a mammoth charity cycle across Scotland. Bob, 53, and Louise Nolan, 47, were greeted by Glasgow's Lord Provost Bob Winter on the final leg of their tandem challenge covering 1000 miles and 23 islands. The couple undertook the epic journey to raise pound(s)20,000 for Deafblind Scotland's Field Of Dreams project, which aims to build a national training and resource centre for deaf and blind people. They arrived in the Square with a party of supporters, including son Josh, 16, riding tandems, bicycles and motorbikes to a Scottish soundtrack. Mr Nolan, a father-of-three who is chairman of the charity, was born deaf and is now registered blind. He came up with idea for the two-week challenge, having previously done a charity cycle in 2008. Mr Nolan said: "It was a great experience. We battled through a real mix of weather - losing our lip-reading mirror in one of the gales - and caught ferries by the skin of our teeth. "It was hard work but the feeling of satisfaction at the end made it worthwhile." The couple, who met at school, set off on June 2 from Unst in the Shetland Islands and pedalled through the Orkneys, Lewis, Uist, Harris, Barra, Skye, Mull, Iona, Jura, Islay and Arran - 23 islands in all, catching 19 ferries and using 12 causeways along the way. They were supported by Deafblind Scotland staff and Bikewise, Kirkintilloch. (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]