DIALYSIS patients in the Borders are back on their bikes to pedal the entire Tour de France.

A total of nine patients at Borders General Hospital regularly climb into the saddle despite fighting kidney failure.

And they began their very own Tour de France - on the exercise bike inside the Dialysis Unit.

A spokeswoman for NHS Borders told us: “There are currently nine dialysis patients who regularly cycle during their thrice weekly dialysis sessions.

“While crowds lined the streets from York to Sheffield, the Borders dialysis cyclists remained in the BGH with loops of dialysis tubing attached to their forearms filtering their blood as they begin the first stage on an exercise bike which clips to the end of their chairs.” The pedalling patients aim to cover the official Tour distance of 3,664 kilometres throughout the three week race.

And each stage will be led by a nominated patient wearing their own yellow jersey.

The Tour challenge is the latest long-distance goal to be undertaken within the Melrose Dialysis Unit.

Earlier this year they cycled the equivalent of John O’ Groats to Lands End.

The BGH spokeswoman added: “They have already completed a joint Land’s End to John O’ Groats challenge cycling for a total of 107 hours from January to May.

“Each patient’s contribution was recorded with coloured dots in a road atlas and on a wall map of Britain.” Exercise during dialysis brings both physical and mental benefits as it helps with general fitness and improves the effectiveness of the treatment.