Newly diagnosed with Parkinson's, I recall a well meaning neurologist telling me that I might reasonably expect to have '5-10 good years' ahead of me. He seemed very pleased to share this information with me and at the time I was pleased to receive it. He had, after all, said 'years' and not 'months'. There … Continue reading ‘Good Years’
Tag: Cycling
Better Together
"Individually we are one drop, together we are an ocean." Ryunosuke Satoro Arriving back home late last night, I have found myself, like many of the group, unpacking, doing the laundry and restocking the fridge today. None of these things have felt like chores as I have also spent the day reflecting on an amazing … Continue reading Better Together
Buknesfjord – Andenes
Day 5 71km / 388m climb I had been looking forward to a shorter and flatter day today - only 71km! It wasn't long ago that this would have been a very big ask of each of us but we have trained hard for many months to undertake this challenge and are confident that we … Continue reading Buknesfjord – Andenes
Bodø – Sørvågen
Day 0 With the woes of yesterday firmly behind us, we awoke to glorious sunshine, a light, warm, breeze and plenty of enthusiasm to reassemble our bikes. This is easily done and we take them on a short test run and then make the late morning ferry to Løtofen and on to Sørvågen. There was … Continue reading Bodø – Sørvågen
It’s All About The Destination
As wisdom prevails, it’s all about the journey, not the destination. This was proved not to be the case, for today, at least! Today it’s been all about the destination and trying to ensure that our group arrive safely in Bodø and when we arrive, that our bikes arrive at the same destination, preferably at … Continue reading It’s All About The Destination
Countdown
It's seven hours until we set off for our latest adventure and I haven't introduced it yet. With the help of a few statistics, here's an outline of what we have planned. During this year's challenge, we will cycle 635 km cycle through Norway from Bodø to Tromsø. We are a team of twenty-two people, … Continue reading Countdown
Not Today!
It is almost a year since I wrote (Clipless Pedalling) about having to stop clipping into my pedals when cycling. I remember feeling a sense of taking a backward step when it happened. Something I didn't want to do but at the time, I felt that I had little choice. My right foot would hover … Continue reading Not Today!
Day 16
2nd July 2023 Girona to Barcelona Distance: 61 miles / 98km Climb: 2,100ft / 640m Our final day with 100km to cycle to reach Barcelona. We were joined by Claire Lehman, who we had cycled the alps with last year and who had cycled from the UK to Barcelona over the Pyrenees to meet with … Continue reading Day 16
Teams, Good Causes and Outstanding Individuals
By John Anderson I start my first blog for a good reason. I am keeping Alison company. Despite having covered 115km today into a headwind, she has decided to stay in tonight to catch up on things! She is undoubtedly an outstanding individual. She has energised, planned then organised a fantastic challenge to cycle from … Continue reading Teams, Good Causes and Outstanding Individuals
‘Warm Up’ – Day 3
15th June 2023 Hursley to Worthing Distance: 54 miles / 88km Climb: 1328ft / 405m Total Distance Cycled:148 miles / 239km It took some persuasion but eventually everyone agreed to meet this morning at 5.30am for a 6am start. By 9am, we'd covered 30km and had a picnic breakfast. We were joined today by Julia, … Continue reading ‘Warm Up’ – Day 3
‘Warm Up’ – Day 2
14th June 2023 Ramsbury to Hursley Distance: 41 miles / 66km Climb: 1519ft / 463m Total Distance Cycled: 94 miles / 151km Today felt too hot, too hilly, too far, took too long, too late back to the hotel. I was too wobbly and too tired to go any faster. BUT it was also through … Continue reading ‘Warm Up’ – Day 2
‘Warm Up’ – Day 1
13th June 2023 Cheltenham to Ramsbury Distance: 53 miles / 85km Climb: 2648ft / 807m Total Distance Cycled: 53 miles / 85km Setting off from home this morning felt somewhat surreal. I've cycled from home, through our town and out into the surrounding countryside hundreds of times. Never before have I set off on such … Continue reading ‘Warm Up’ – Day 1
Buzzing
With only 10 days to go until we set off from Cheltenham and 13 days until we start our journey from Brighton, there is a palpable feel of excitement amongst the team. Our WhatsApp group chat is buzzing as we share stories about our training rides, compare notes on our respective packing lists, talk technical … Continue reading Buzzing
Variation on a Theme
Variety has been the theme for this week's cycle training. First the Wattbike at home, then cycling along a stretch of the East Coast of Scotland and finally a few days cycling in Madrid. The training mileage wasn't high, compared to some recent weeks but over a variety of terrains, in a variety of conditions, … Continue reading Variation on a Theme
Endure or Enjoy?
Training for the Bike to Barcelona challenge has been ongoing throughout the winter period. Now, with only four months to go, it's time to ramp up the duration, the distances, the frequency and hopefully, the fun. Last week, in addition to indoor training, I cycled 40km through the gorgeous Gloucestershire countryside on a beautiful, near … Continue reading Endure or Enjoy?
Brighton to Barcelona
With only 138 days to go, it feels like the right time to introduce the Brighton to Barcelona team. We are a group of 20 cyclists plus our guide. We will set off on 16th June this year and cycle an average of 106km each day until reaching Barcelona on 2nd July in time to … Continue reading Brighton to Barcelona
New Year, New Challenge
Fabulous artwork by the very fabulous Jonny Acheson (https://jonnyachesonart.com) I love a challenge and thrive on the planning, preparation and training that goes with each new one. It gives me a sense of being in control - even if I'm not, challenges my brain and body - which can only be a good thing and … Continue reading New Year, New Challenge
Reflections of The Raid Alpine
Exercise, the only thing that has been shown to delay disease progression in Parkinson's, should, in theory, be easy to commit to doing on a daily basis. Yet at times it can still be difficult to find the motivation to exercise, particularly on a cold, wet, windy winter's day. In the autumn of 2019, signing … Continue reading Reflections of The Raid Alpine
Rory’s Reflections
Reflections - The Raid Alpine 2022 by Rory Chappell I was part of the support crew for a group of five cyclists as they took on The Raid Alpine. 770km long. Over 18,000m of climb. Geneva to Nice. I had never even heard of such a challenge, nor would I have thought it would be … Continue reading Rory’s Reflections
Raid Alpine – Day 10
Setting off in already blistering sunshine, our last day proved one of the hottest. Perhaps a little blasé about having 'only' 834m of climb to do, by the time I was 15km into the ride, already on the wrong road, still leaning heavily on my right hand side in a very lop sided fashion with … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 10
Raid Alpine – Day 9
Distance 83km. Elevation 1700m. Our penultimate day saw us leave according to our speed. That was Claire and I setting off first for a ride that would take us 8 and 9 hours respectively. The others who are much quicker were rewarded by a slightly more leisurely breakfast and had still caught up with us … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 9
Raid Alpine – Day 8
We expected today to be our toughest challenge for many reasons. Longest rideBiggest climbSearing heatExisting saddle sores, blisters, aches and painsFatigue from the previous seven days hard cycling To add another challenge to the day, was for our support team, Callum and Rory when an erratic / maniac driver tried to overtake the van they … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 8
Raid Alpine – Day 7
Guillestre to Jausier. Distance 42km. Elevation 1154m. Our shortest day and we made the most of it. An early start saw the men powering up the hill by lunchtime whilst the girls took the same early start but a more leisurely approach. I'd like to say we did so from choice but my legs were … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 7
The Raid Alpine – Day 6
Col du Lautaret to Guillestre. Distance 81km. Elevation 1392m. What a fantastic day! Today we 'bagged' Col d'Izoard. 19.1km uphill during which we climbed 1173m. At a peak gradient of 11% and an overall average of 6%, it was tough. No nice pictures at the top as it simply resembled a building site. A huge … Continue reading The Raid Alpine – Day 6
Raid Alpine – Day 5
Distance Elevation Gain By Rory Chappell (Support Team) ‘Switchbacks are overshadowed by persistence.’ An early start for the cyclists to get a handle on the day ahead: the biggest climb so far. After breakfast, they hit the tarmac and pedalled along to the town of Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne. They waited for a top up of water from … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 5
Raid Alpine – Day 4
Bourg St ~Maurice to Lansleberg-Mont-Cenis Distance 83km, Elevation Gained 2,238m 'Over the Col and Far Away' By Rory Chappell (Support Team) The day started early high above Bourg Saint Maurice with a fantastic breakfast at our overnight stop, Montagn’Arcs. Joined by the fresh talent from Bolton, Neil and Jane, the cyclists set off up to … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 4
The Raid Alpine
Day 4 - 'Only' I desperately wanted to get to the top of Col d'Iseran, our 'only' Col of the day. 'Only' 2,200m of climb over 'only' 47km, with temperatures peaking at 'only' 28 degrees, with absolutely no shade. At every km on each Col, there is a marker depicting the distance to the top … Continue reading The Raid Alpine
Raid Alpine – Day 3
Day 3 - missing from our original blog series as exhaustion crept in and time ran out. For completeness, I've compiled this from a few scribbled notes to support my hazy memory, as Col after Col, the days seemed to morph into one. Today was to be our toughest so far. 75km, hilly from the … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 3
Raid Alpine – Day 2
Cluses to Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe. Distance 63km, Elevation Gained 2,200m. '20%' By Rory Chappell (Support Team) Waking up this morning to grey skies after a night of storms isn’t what you imagine when you come away to Southern France for a cycling challenge. That said, it is perfect climbing weather. Today was the first chance some got … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 2
Raid Alpine – Day 1
First Time for Everything First Day Thonon les Bains to Cluses Distance: 81km Climb: 1913m First Team Gathering Lake Geneva First Climb Col de Moises First Celebratory Beer First Day Summary Hot, hot, hot, humid,, hilly, hellishly hard, hurting everywhere, happy it's over ....until tomorrow. Personal Perspective - Alison One of our 'lighter' days today, … Continue reading Raid Alpine – Day 1
Challenging Times 
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