Welcome!
Thank you for visiting Challenging Times, The Ramblings of a Cyclopath.
Blogging seemed a good way to publicise a charity cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia with a group of friends who became affectionately known as The Cyclopaths. Still chronicling my cycle training and challenges, four years on, this blog now also offers insights into my experience of living with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. By doing so, I hope to promote an understanding and provide an easy opening to a conversation about the trials, tribulations and the occasional triumphs of living with Parkinson’s.
Blog Posts
Unpredictable (III)
Another weather forecast of 1-2% chance of rain every hour over the next 12 hours. Another solo cycle ride. Another soaking. 1-2% Chance of Precipitation So, if I went out 100 times during similar forecasts, it should not rain on…
Read More
Unpredictable (II)
Having written about the unpredictable nature of Parkinson’s only yesterday (Unpredictable I), it was reassuring today to be reminded that there are many other things in life that are unpredictable too. My Motivation I was determined to get up and…
Read More
Unpredictable (I)
Last week, my boxing was as good as it ever has been since I started training four years ago. My personal trainer noticed immediately. I responded quickly to instructions and was full of energy, my movements were fluid and fast…
Read More
A Link Between The ‘Shrinks’
I recently read an interesting blog by Miriam Bram, a fellow Ambassador for the 6th World Parkinson Congress to be held in Barcelona in July 2023. The title, Shame & Stigma of Living with Parkinson’s caught me off guard. Until…
Read More
Time to Get Up
Back in the Day 6am Alarm Snooze Alarm Jump out of bed and into shower Shampoo and condition hair Brush teeth Blow-dry hair Make up Jewellery on Favourite dress on 6.30am ready to face the day Time to Get Up…
Read More
Sparkling!
During the current heatwave, many of us are feeling uncomfortably hot much of the time and that’s certainly my experience over the last few days. Being of a certain age, like many other women, I also have the joys of…
Read More
I Can’t Wait…
I am driving down to Exeter today to pick one of my sons up from his student accommodation to bring him and his belongings home for the summer. It’s forecast to be a scorching day, one of the hottest this…
Read More
It’s Back!
I’ve finally found my exercise mojo! Having lost it somewhere during the mid winter long lockdown, it’s been elusive over the past few months but it’s finally back. It has taken a few friends, a good helping of sunshine, some…
Read More
The ‘Shrinks’
I remember reading Ronald Dahl’s story about The Twits, a hideous couple who catch the ‘Dreaded Shrinks’ which causes their bodies to gradually shrink until there is nothing left of them except a pile of old clothes and a pair…
Read More
Five Ferries Challenge
Five ferries, a few friends, fabulous weather, fantastic scenery, fun, fun, fun! What a stunning day to do the Five Ferries Challenge on the West Coast of Scotland. 118km cycled in beautiful sunshine from early morning until late into the…
Read More
‘Happy’ Anniversary?
Six years ago today I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. It’s not like a birthday or wedding anniversary to be celebrated with balloons and banners but it is an anniversary nevertheless. One that is imprinted on my being in indelible ink.…
Read More
Time to Change…….
At an out patient appointment recently, I was asked how I had been feeling on a scale of 1 – 10. 1 = As bad as it gets 10 = As good as it gets. I pondered. It had been…
Read More
Strangely Delighted!
I feel strangely delighted today having read the results of my most recent cognitive assessment. The results identified some areas where my cognitive ability ‘fell below the expected range’. Thank heavens! I’m not going mad, I haven’t imagined it, there…
Read More
A Social Dilemma
“Hi! How are you?” Almost without fail when meeting someone, our first exchange is “Hi! How are you?” By far the most common, and indeed the most socially acceptable response is “I’m fine, thanks. And you?” In fact, I would…
Read More
Time for a Challenge
As an ambassador for the World Parkinson Congress (WPC) in Barcelona in June 2022, I can get very enthusiastic about the fantastic experience that is the WPC. As a keen cyclist, I can get equally enthusiastic about all things cycling.…
Read More
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Frequently and at some length, I bemoan the shortcomings of my slightly wonky brain and body. Enough! Credit where credit is due – some achievements they have each independently or jointly completed since lockdown first started a year ago. Understanding…
Read MoreLoading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
