A Heart Warming Story

I met Jonny in Kyoto last year at the World Parkinson’s Congress. He too has Young Onset Parkinson’s and he cycles, so naturally, we’ve followed each other on Facebook and Twitter ever since! He recently tweeted this story and it brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. I felt compelled to share it.

Jonny’s Tweet:

“Two years ago someone left a brand new road bike outside my house within a hand written message that said ‘Exercise is good for Parkinson’s.’ Many miles later I look back and will never forget that ultimate random act of the deepest kindness.”

You can find Jonny on twitter at: Jonny Acheson (@pdinfocus)

Thank you Jonny for sharing such a heartwarming story.

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The Final Nail in the Coffin

‘The Final Nail in the Coffin’

“An event that causes the failure of something that had already started to fail”

It was perhaps inevitable but after a full 12 months and 7,500km of training, 90,000m of hill climbing and being as ready as we’ve ever been, we’ve had to cancel our challenge in the Alps again.

In the grand scheme of things, with the impact of Coronoavirus on individuals and communities, I’m not really complaining. I’m just taking a moment to feel sorry for myself (and the others) before finally putting this challenge to bed and coming up with a ‘Plan B’.

‘Plan B’

“An action or set of actions for doing or achieving something that can be used if the preferred method fails”

If we can’t cycle the Alps, there are plenty of other roads available to us. We are currently exploring options…………

‘C’est la Vie’

“Situations of the type that happen in life and you cannot do anything about them”

We can’t control the quarantine regulations and therefore we have no control over having to cancel our Alps challenge. We do have control over how we react to it. As with most things in life, we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and make the most of the situation. Watch this space!

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A Few Hills Too Many

A hilly ride yesterday with the Sunday morning group. Lovely company, glorious sunshine and a beautiful route but hilly and I found it really hard. No personal bests today and the rest of Sunday was a write off for me as it’s taken me 24 hours to recover! Doesn’t bode well for The Alps….! I have to remember last week felt great and was just as hilly and another 20km further. Completely unpredictable!

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A Little More Training….

It doesn’t feel right to consider my last few rides as training. They have been in beautiful sunshine, with great company, fabulous cake stops and some of the most stunning countryside. I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing. Getting faster and fitter is the added bonus!

1. To The Blue Zucchini in Tetbury (88km with 1011m Climb)

For the biggest slice of carrot cake ever!

2. To Chedworth Farm Shop (73km with 1033m Climb)

Possible the best ever Sunday morning ride. Most of the group, beautiful day, fast and fun!

3. To The Jolly Nice and The Lakes (87km with 904m Climb)

A fast ride out to The Jolly Nice to meet these lovely ladies for an early evening ride out to the Lakes and then a mindful cycle home in the evening sunshine along miles of quiet country lanes.

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And Counting……

24 Days

A few days rest after The Raid Local and already we need a new challenge. A ‘Covid Compliant’ Alpine Adventure …….in 24 day’s time.

777km

Cycling 777km from Lake Geneva to Nice.

13,000

13,000 metres of climbing

Six Cols

  • Col du Telegraphie
  • Col du Galibier
  • Col de L’Iseran
  • Col d’Izoard
  • Col du Cormet de Roselend
  • Col de la Bonette

Five Cyclopaths

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A Sunday Cycle

Great to be out with the Sunday Cycling group again.

A lovely route out to The Old Prison at Northleach. The company was great, the rain held off until the last ten minutes and the bacon sandwiches at The Old Prison were fabulous.

After two weeks away from my bike, the hills felt hard, so it was a pleasant surprise to find my Strava stats showed twenty-three personal bests and a new ‘Local Legend’ crown. Oh the joys…….and the pressure to keep this one!

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ABC

Having recovered from the Raid Local challenge, spent some time with my family, caught up with some of the things I had neglected whilst training and taken some time to reflect, it’s time to put pen to paper and, of course, it’s time to get back in the saddle again.

But first, once again, a very huge, very heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported me in doing the Raid Alpine challenge. So many of my family and friends (and sometimes, complete strangers) have supported me in so many ways. There are so many of you I could name but I fear I might miss someone out if I attempt to do this, so I will keep it simple.

Thank you, each and every one of you. I have been touched by your kindness, your friendship, your generousity, your encouragement and of course your tolerance of all things cycling!

ABC – Ambassador / Blogger / Cyclist

Image Source: Zenefits

I started cycling not long after a diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson’s in 2015 and since then cycling has become a way of life, of being active, keeping fit, pushing myself physically, having fun and having something positive to focus on. Blogging about my cycle challenges has added to the fun and has become a memoir of some extraordinary adventures with some extraordinary people. Memories that I will treasure forever and of course, there are plans for future challenges.

When I’m not cycling, I’m spending some time in my role as an Ambassador for the next World Parkinson’s Congress being held in Barcelona in 2022. It’s an incredible privilege to be given the opportunity to work alongside 14 other Ambassadors from across the world over the next two years. When I look at the names of others who have held this role in the past, I recognise people who’s stories I read when I was first diagnosed. By sharing their experiences of living with Parkinson’s, they helped me understand what my future may look like. They gave me hope and they inspired me.

I have since met many of these people, indeed, some are friends and they continue to inspire me and thousands of others in the Parkinson’s community. This role is important to me, I want to do it well. It is an opportunity to be an advocate for this wonderful community and to make a difference. It is a challenge, an adventure, a way of meeting new people, an opportunity to do something extraordinary….

A bit like cycling then! And just like cycling, I intend to use this blog to record some of this journey too.

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A Team Effort

Doing the Raid Local challenge would never have been possible without the support of so many people, so I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who trained with me, encouraged me, supported me for months while I prepared for the challenge, supported me on the day, donated to The Cure Parkinson’s Trust and to family and friends who listen to me talk endlessly about cycling! More about you wonderful people later…..I could never have done this without you.

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Not So Easy!

The challenge, in reality, was not nearly as easy as I had dreamt it might be! (See Previous Blog) In reality, it took me a lot longer, it was a lot harder, my average power output was a lot lower and I didn’t see Rowan Atkinson at all!

My stats came in four parts:

  1. Until my Mio Battery Ran Out
  2. Until my Phone Battery Ran Out
  3. Until my Battery Ran Out
  4. The Final Push

Part 1

Nine times up and down Cleeve Hill from alternate sides, once up Castle Street (a killer!), three times up Stanway Hill and back to Cleeve Hill for a few more ascents. My Mio battery ran out after another three ascents of Cleeve Hill………

Part 2

Another twice up Cleeve Hill and my phone battery ran out……..

Part 3

Another 4.82km, light (and legs) fading, with winds of 34.5km/h, my battery finally ran out!

Part 4

The following morning, 553m short of the required ascent, with my legs screaming ‘No!’ and wind speeds of 36km/hr, with John’s support, I climbed Cleeve, Harp and Ham Hills to reach a total of 3,715m of climb. Mission accomplished!

In Total

168km cycled, 3,715m climbed, over 11 hours of cycling plus over 4 hours of stops for refreshments, refuelling, photos, chat, rest, recovery, shelter from rain, junctions, etc………

More detail to follow when I can muster the energy…………..

The Cyclopath8 Comments