I had been invited to be interviewed on Sky News by Kay Burley about living with Parkinson's as part of a bigger interview with Laura Culpan, a director of Artwise. The interview is predominantly about the Cure3 art exhibition devised and created by Artwise to raise awareness and funds to support Cure Parkinson's vital research. … Continue reading Taxi!
Tag: Parkinson’s
‘Good Years’
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’
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
Leknes – Svolvaer
Day 2 80km / 710m climb Although just as sunny and the landscape just as beautiful, today felt so much harder. Legs weary from the day before and a very hot, undulating, busy road for the second half of the journey, made things a little less relaxed and a little more difficult. Without a doubt, … Continue reading Leknes – Svolvaer
Sørvågen – Leknes
Day 1 80km / 964m climb It is entirely possible that I have prepared myself for the wrong trip. There was talk of cold weather, (we are above the Arctic Circle) and the possibility of much rain. The need for thermal layers under our team cycling kit and robust waterproof layers for over it. As … Continue reading Sørvågen – Leknes
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
All’s Well That Ends Well
A lovely evening meeting with the whole team. There is much good humour as we catch up with old friends, meet new ones and we are all briefed about the cycling challenge that will consume our days and possibly much of our evenings over the next week or so. Assuming we have our bikes of … Continue reading All’s Well That Ends Well
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!
Lost and Found
Never have I been more grateful to have found something that I thought had been permanently lost. By default, I blame most physical and cognitive symptoms that I experience on Parkinson's. As a degenerative, progressive condition, it seems reasonable to assume it is singularly responsible for the insidious and relentless assault on body and mind … Continue reading Lost and Found
Life is a Rollercoaster
'Life is a rollercoaster, you just gotta ride it' sang Ronan Keating. Now, I'm not a huge fan of rollercoasters. Come to think of it, I'm not a huge fan of Ronan Keating either. Ronan was singing about love. I of course, am rambling about Parkinson's (of which I am not a huge fan, either). … Continue reading Life is a Rollercoaster
Explaining not Complaining
I haven't written much lately. Am I bored with writing? No! Have I run out of things to say? Never! Do I have writer's block? No! I think I've got reader's concern. Over recent years, I have found it therapeutic to take a light hearted approach to sharing my experiences of living with Parkinson's, in … Continue reading Explaining not Complaining
One Hundred Hurdles
One hundred daily tasks that can pose problems for people with Parkinson’s. They may be manageable with extra time, difficult or simply impossible to do. Written Communication Writing Typing Texting Filling in forms Signing name IT Using computer mouse Using keyboard Using phone while on the move Scrolling up or down Verbal Communication Speaking animatedly … Continue reading One Hundred Hurdles
Just Do It
Whether Nike ever intended their advertising tagline 'Just Do It' to become a doctrine by which to live or not, it appears to have become just that, extending beyond a sporting mantra to become a 'call to action' applicable to almost every aspect of life. Adapted from the words of a convicted murderer, who, when … Continue reading Just Do It
Teamwork
19 Individuals Geoff Constable (R) Roland Valori Jim Lawson Gary Shaughnessy Julia Woods Rune Vethe Dave & Kathy Tempest Denise Lawson Julian McCarthy Alison Anderson John Anderson Erik Hagenson Rune Bjerke John Bjarte Vethe Caroline & Paul Broekman Steve Iseman Declan O'Brien This was no corporate team building training event. There were no instructions, no … Continue reading Teamwork
The Stats
19 Individuals Geoff Constable (R) Roland Valori Jim Lawson Gary Shaughnessy Julia Woods Rune Vethe Dave & Kathy Tempest Denise Lawson Julian McCarthy Alison Anderson John Anderson Erik Hagenson Rune Bjerke John Bjarte Vethe Caroline & Paul Broekman Steve Iseman Declan O'Brien Nine People Living with Parkinson's Representing the UK, Norway, Canada, USA & Australia … Continue reading The Stats
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
‘Brighton’ – Starting Line
16th June 2023 Worthing to Brighton Brighton to Newhaven Distance: 26 miles / 42km Climb: 512ft / 254m Total Distance Cycled: 174 miles / 281km Today saw the final part of our journey in the UK as we made our way to Brighton for our long awaited gathering with the rest of the team, many … Continue reading ‘Brighton’ – Starting Line
‘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
Brighton to Barcelona 2023
The Plan...............
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
Clipless Pedalling
Five significant events contributed to my transformation from a novice to a serious cyclist. Learning the rules and etiquette of cycling as part of a group Changing from a hybrid bike to a road bike The use of clipless pedals The purchase of Castelli bib shorts and jersey Cycling the iconic 1,000 mile from Land's … Continue reading Clipless Pedalling
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
Challenging Times 
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