Day 13

Today was by far the hardest day for me, so far. It started badly with a puncture within the first ten minutes which the support team were quick to fix. The roads were unkind, with stretches unpaved and potholed, with frequent bumps where tree roots had lifted and separated the ground which added insult to injury to my now very painful saddlesores. There were long stretches along busy roads with trucks and lorries thundering past. The road closed at one point following a fatal accident that had happened shortly before we passed by. With all the emergency services there, it was a stark reminder of how fragile life can be. 

The tail wind that had helped propel us in recent days was now stronger but was now a cross wind which we had to battle constantly with to retain our balance. The route was predominantly flat but the hills were all in the last ten miles, when the cross winds peaked, the roads remained busy and our legs were tired.

I wasn’t much company as I concentrated hard to keep upright and to keep moving forward but I was overwhelmed by the support I received. I had the support of a wonderful team today with Declan, as he has done every day leading a group of us out of town and keeping us on route throughout the day, always cheery, always smiling, incredibly helpful and thoughtful attending to so many things that mad the journey easier. As has been the case every day, Geoff remained at the rear with me, quietly supportive despite the day also being a challenge for him and his Parkinson’s making its presence felt throughout the journey too. We adopted Rune Bjerke and Erik from the Norwegian contingent today and we may not give them back! I was overwhelmed by their support, kindness and selflessness as they too battled the challenges the route threw at us today and they too had their own challenges with Parkinson’s to deal with. Long after the saddle sores have subsided and the aches and pains resolved shall I remember their support. 

John after a series of mechanical issues joined me for the last ten hilly miles, gently encouraged and cajoled me up the hills and buffeting me from the wind for the last leg of the ride today. Steve, our group leader, with words of advice, encouragement and the occasional reminder that our rest stops were not going to get us to our destination if they were not interspersed with some actual cycling!

Arriving late to the hotel to a cheer and round of applause was an emotional end to today’s cycling. 

As always, it is the people we meet along the way that add interest to our day. With our team jerseys, it is easy for others to see what we are doing. Two chance encounters reinforced just how close we are getting to Barcelona. Some of our group were approached by the Italian teams support crew who recognised the jerseys and a couple of our group met a researcher who was also cycling to the World Parkinson Congress. Two entirely chance encounters. Our group had also been chatting to group of ladies on holiday from Quebec who, seeing our jerseys, started to enquire about our journey. A short conversation, some laughter and they made a donation to Cure Parkinson’s. As has often been the case during this journey, I was once again humbled by people’s kindness and the generousity of strangers.

Dining with our group this evening was a short event for me as tiredness competed with my need for food but as always spirits were high, there was much talk, much laughter and so much respect and support for each other as together we move towards the last few days of this incredible journey.