Carolyn Falconer had taken part in the Breast Way Round motorcycle run over the past two years while receiving treatment for the disease.

The 57-year-old died in January.

Now, as hundreds of women with pink mowhawks on their helmets, and a few men wearing decorated bras, prepare to rev up at the starting line in Kilmarnock tomorrow they revealed that Carolyn is their inspiration.

It is the fifth four-day 450-mile run around west Scotland, which is held to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and has already raised £180,000.

Team leader Gilly Wilson, 49, said: "Carolyn was a remarkable lady and an amazing rider. She never gave up.

"Even last year, when she weighed almost nothing, she rode through high winds, hailstones and torrential rain. She raised over £7000 herself, which is a staggering amount.

"She was thoughtful, kind and loving. We miss her."

A Kilmarnock Willow tree will be planted in Carolyn's memory at Aviemore, one of the stop-off points in the ride.

Carolyn, from Bathgate, and mum to Ashley, 27, is the third woman in the group to have died since Breast Way Round was launched four years ago.

The idea for the biking event came from Shirley-Ann McKnight, 49, who suffers from musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder fibromyalgia, after she saw Ewan McGregor's Long Way Round TV road trip.

The latest adventure sets off from Rugby Park at 10.30am tomorrow.

The bikers will travel to Gourock, Dunoon, Inveraray, Oban, and then through Highlands and will arrive at Loch Lomond Shores at 12.30pm on Monday.

Memory balloons will be released over the loch and memory tags will be available on the day for a £1 donation.

The bikers hope to raise £50,000 this year.

Keep up to date with their progress by following the group on Twitter @BreastWayRound or on the group's Facebook page. To donate follow the link at: www.justgiving.com/BWR2012

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk